Benue state government has urged the people to be more cautious as the number of persons that have tested positive to the COVID – 19 virus in the state has risen to 35.
State Commissioner for Health and Human Services and Secretary of the State Action Committee on COVID – 19 in the state, Sunday Ongbabo, made this appeal while speaking to journalists in his office, in Makurdi on Tuesday.
He explained that out of the 35 persons, 11 persons have been treated, confirmed negative and discharged, while 23 others who are receiving treatment are in stable condition. This number is in addition to the index case, which was transferred to Abuja.
Ongbabo who described the above scenerio as a “high percentage of success,” explaining that out of the total number of confirmed cases, no life has been lost.
Ongbabo pointed out that “From the tests we have done so far, we have recorded 35 positive cases from the beginning, since when we had the first index case to now. In all, 35 persons have tested positive in Benue and out of these, 11 of them have been treated and have become negative. That is a very high percentage of success in Benue.
“We have not lost anyone in Benue; we are left with 23 active cases who are on treatment and they are very stable and fine and we expect that in the next few days, they will be out of the treatment center.”
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The State Commissioner for Health also noted that from the total cases so far recorded, 80% of persons that have tested positive to the virus were from Makurdi, the state capital.
He therefore urged the people to be careful saying “Yes we have stopped calling names but we want people to assume that the next person has it and you need to take care of yourself.”
Ongbabo also reacted to the strike embarked upon by the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), and the effects it may have on the state in view of COVID – 19 pandemic, saying “the strike has not incapacitated us in any way.”
Ongbabo also stated that Benue has the capacity to tackle anything that may arise, concerning the COVID – 19 pandemic.
He said, “When you talk about capacity, it is in terms of infrastructure, personnel, equipment and drugs. Our response is a progressive one and we are capable of handling whatever stage that the COVID – 19 will get to especially when you have a Chief Executive (Governor Samuel Ortom) that is part of it.”
