Anthony Iwuoma
For contracting Covid-19 in the course of Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH), the Ondo State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, on Monday, disclosed that he has given full employment to three casual health workers in the state.
The governor, who made the disclosure while briefing residents of the state on the latest development on the pandemic, said the trio were among the five new COVID-19 cases recorded in the state.
He added that his administration had also authorised enhanced hazard allowance for all state health workers by 50 per cent while those working directly with the isolation centre are to get additional 20 per cent of their hazard allowance, as special risk allowance.
Akeredolu paid glowing tributes to the three health workers, describing them as heroes.
“I must quickly express our deep solidarity with the brave workers at our Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH) who, in the course of saving other people’s lives, contracted this deadly disease.
“Both the driver who carries samples to test centres outside the state and the two casual workers in the wards took the highest risk in helping their fellow human beings. They are our heroes.
“These three individuals are junior workers in that establishment, yet their contributions are critical and very essential to all our operations to fight COVID-19. They faced the daily risks of worst dimension with candour. At the end, they are infected with the deadly virus.
“I want their families and loved ones to know that Ondo State government stands firmly with them and will walk with them through these difficult times until they recover and fully get back their daily lives. Their tribulation is our burden and their total recovery will be our joy.
“To further demonstrate our understanding and total commitment to supporting the frontline risk bearers, I have directed immediate absorption into the public service of the infected casual workers at the IDH,” the governor said.
The governor also directed the total blockade of all the state’s boundaries to control the influx of people whose health status cannot be guaranteed into the state as well as the closure of all markets and stores across the state.
