STANDARD OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE (SOP) AND COVID19 CONTROL IN AKWA IBOM STATE, NIGERIA

The outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is an unprecedented event that has continued to ravage the earth, resulting in daily increasing rate of morbidity and mortality of the virus across the globe including Akwa Ibom State. Healthcare systems of most countries and states like Akwa Ibom have been overstretched by daily loads of confirmed COVID-19 cases from community transmission of the virus. This sad situation has not only elicited medical emergency responses, but, also some standard operational measures in a policy form like lockdown, facemask, ban on inter- state travels, hand sanitizer etc. made by the government of Akwa Ibom State to stem the spread of the pandemic. The implementation of some of these policies (standard operational procedures) could be considered as a trade-off between public health intervention and socio-economic consequences. Therefore, this paper examines the impact of standard operational procedure on covid19 control in Akwa Ibom state, Nigeria. It has three objectives which are to ascertain the impact of lockdown on the spread of covid-19, find out if the compulsory use of face-mask has helped in curbing the spread of covid-19 and also determine the relationship between ban on inter-state travels and the spread of covid-19 in Akwa state. The study was guided by the change theory of Kurt Lewin theory. The study adopted a descriptive research design which enhanced the researcher to obtain a better understanding of the problems and effect of pandemic on human health. Methodically, it relies on both primary and secondary sources of data. Therefore, questionnaires and interview guides were also used in the collection of data after which it had to be coded and presented in percentages and frequency distribution tables using chi-square (X²) statistical tool for the analysis. From the findings, it was revealed that the policy (Lockdown, Facemask usage and ban on inter-state travels) has helped in reducing infections and death rate in Akwa Ibom State. It also concluded that the policies have been an effective tool to curbing the spread of Covid-19 since it commencement in Akwa Ibom State. The study recommended that government should sponsor the provision of facemasks, and hand sanitizers and also ensure the provisions of palliative items and care during lockdowns in the state.