…As Ortom’s wife, son, domestic staff test positive for COVID-19***
Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi has tested positive for the ravaging coronavirus disease.
Confirming the development pon Saturday in Abakaiki, Umahi’s Special Assistant on Media, Mr Francis Nwaze, confirmed that some close aides of the governor also tested positive to the disease.
Nwaze confirmed that though the governor was not currently showing any symptom of the disease, he has isolated in line with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) protocols.
“The governor has directed his Deputy, Dr Kelechi , to coordinate the state’s fight against the disease and appealed to the citizens to take the NCDC protocols seriously.
“He will currently be working from ‘home’ and will be conducting all meetings virtually,” Nwaze confirmed.
Umahi while swearing-in newly appointed state Executive Council (EXCO) members among other appointees said that he had directed all those who worked in the state’s 2020 budget review team to immediately undergo COVID-19 test.
In a related development, Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue said the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Tony Ijohor and Chief of Staff, Mr Terwase Orbunde have also tested positive to COVID-19.
The governor disclosed this on Saturday while briefing newsmen in Makurdi.
He further said that the State Head of Service, Mrs Veronica Onyeke also tested positive to the virus, alongside the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Administration, Benue State University, Makurdi, Prof. Godwin Achinge.
“It is no longer news that my wife, one of my sons and staff tested positive to the virus too.
“The test was carried out about a week ago. When the result came out 35 persons in the state tested positive to the virus.
“My test result came out negative. But the medical officers said that another test will be carried out on me after three days.
Also read: COVID-19: 41 health workers infected in Plateau, 8 dead – Commissioner
“So, after this interaction, I will isolate myself. I will be in isolation until I have clearance from the medical officers.
In another development, the Benue First Lady, Mrs Eunice Ortom, her son and some domestic staff have tested positive for the novel coronavirus disease.
The governor’s wife announced this in a press statement she personally signed and made available to news men in Makurdi on Saturday.
According to her the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) notify her of the development through her test result that returned positive on Friday evening.
Ortom further disclosed that she, her son and one domestic staff have all gone on safe isolation as directed by NCDC.
She appealed to all those who came in contact with her in the last two weeks to go for the test.
“A few moments ago, I received my result from the tests earlier carried out on me by NCDC personnel on routine screening at Government House, Makurdi and the test returned that I and my son and some staff are COVID-19 positive.
“We have, from this moment, gone into isolation as required by the protocols and would immediately begin the treatment as advised by medical experts.
“While I have taken the responsibility to personally call everyone, I can recall having had recent contact with to go for testing, I advise anyone, who has had close contact with me in the last two weeks and the general public to go for screening and testing.
“I wish to reiterate that been COVID-19 positive is not a death sentence as evident by the many recoveries recorded thus far so.
“There is no need to panic, but we should continue to be responsible in our actions so as to keep others safe,’’ Mrs Ortom said.
She urged the public to take preventive measures so as to be protected and be safe by observing the primary protocols of wearing face masks, constant hand washing, maintaining social distancing and staying indoors if not necessary to go out.
Gov. Samuel Ortom has earlier appealed to all his appointees to go for the COVID-19 test.
NCDC’s daily update has indicated that Benue has 32 new cases bringing the total in the state to 97 positive cases.
