A Delta-based clergyman identified as Wilson Okotie has reportedly died of novel coronavirus on Monday night, June 8, while awaiting evacuation by the Delta State Ministry of Health monitoring team.
Pastor Okotie before his death was the Senior Pastor, High Impact Christian Centre, located along Akintola Road, Opposite Ita Lane, Sapele, Delta State.
Pastor Okotie was said to have fallen sick on Thursday night and was taken to a clinic in Warri, from where he was again referred back to another private hospital in Sapele, on Saturday, June 6, where he was allegedly smuggled into after he developed Coronavirus complications
The late pastor was said to have died at about 6:40 pm while awaiting evacuation from Treasurehold Specialist Hospital along Ugbeyiyi road in Sapele, where he was admitted and been secretly managed against COVID-19 protocol.
Dr Richard Ikwuogu, who was leading the Delta State Ministry of Health Epidemiology inspection/monitoring of health facilities, and incident manager of Covid-19 response team, on Monday, on a tip-off had stormed the hospital premises, where the deceased was admitted and sealed it, after finding out that two patients were being treated for Coronavirus.
However, newsmen were informed that the ambulance that came to evacuate the remains of the suspected COVID-19 patient was attacked by some persons suspected to be the late man’s family members.
According to the source who craved anonymity, “They attacked the ambulance that came to remove the corpse, threatening to burn it, maybe they were angry that the health status of their brother was revealed.
“The driver escaped with the ambulance and as I speak to you the chairman is making arrangements with the security agencies to send the team back,” he said.