As states across Nigeria battle to contain the novel COVID-19 pandemic, the social fallout of the health crisis does not seem to be receiving much attention.
Reports of social stigma are on the rise, even as misinformation continues to thrive in most communities across states of the federation.
Ait.Live visited one of the communities in Umuahia, the abia state capital that has recorded a case of the covid 19 infection. We met the 62-year old father of 6, Monday Nwosu who has been overwhelmed by different emotions since one of his sons tested positive.
He said he received the news of his son’s Covid-19 status with disbelief because the result as he claims was not made clear.
Aside his family, the people in his community of ihite Ude Ofeme , are also dealing with some form of the coronavirus stigma from neighbouring communities.
The spokesperson of the covid-19 committee and commissioner for information, John Okiyi Kalu, fears that the situation could be counterproductive to the fight against the pandemic in the state.
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The situation is made worse by widespread panic caused by misinformation, raising the urgent need for a sustained awareness campaign, especially in areas where community spread of the virus is likely to escalate.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
