By Ife Osemedua
The Anambra state government is stepping up the fight against the spread of COVID-19 in the state, by setting up a mobile team that goes around to public places to test people for the virus, 365Daily has gathered.
In order to ensure that many people are screened for the virus, the state has commenced a drive-through COVID-19 testing services, that visited some churches around Awka, the state capital, on Sunday, February 14, 2021.
Sacred Heart Chaplaincy, Ngozika Estate, Awka, was one of such places the COVID-19 mobile team visited, according to one of the parishioners, Dr. Uche Nworah, Managing Director, Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS).
He said that he took advantage of that to present himself for screening, which according to him was “Easy, convenient, free.”
Speaking on the development, Dr. Nworah wrote on his Facebook wall, “Anambra state government is really doing a lot to stop the spread of COVID-19 in the state. Imagine my surprise after church service today to see a mobile team from the Ministry of Health administering free COVID-19 tests within the premises of my church, Sacred Heart Chaplaincy, Ngozika Estate, Awka.
“I took advantage of that. Easy, convenient, free. African solutions for a global health challenge.
“I later spoke to the hardworking Commissioner for Health, Dr. Vincent Okpala and he said that drive -through COVID-19 testing services will shortly commence across Anambra’s 3 senatorial zones.
“The Commissioner also confirmed that COVID-19 testing and treatment are free in Anambra state. He praised Governor Willie Obiano for encouraging and supporting his team.”
365Daily findings also indicate that many people who breached the COVID-19 laws in the state, by not adhering to the social distancing and compulsory wearing of nose mask in public places directive, have been convicted by the special courts set up for that purpose.
On of such court documents, from a Magistrate Court in Onitsha, sighted by 365Daily, dated February 12, 2021, revealed the conviction of a certain Mbah, who was sentenced to three days of sweeping the court premises or a fine of N6,000.
The culprit, according to the court documents, was arrested along Awka Road, Onitsha, without wearing a nose mask, thereby contravening the COVID-19 prevention laws.