Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State has tested positive to the ravaging coronavirus disease.
Confirming the development on 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, on July 2, announced that he was expecting his second COVID-19 test result on July 3 and will make it public.
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.
“We are finalising the state’s budget review as required by the World Bank and after such hard work, most us ‘broke down’ and are being treated of malaria.’’
He recalled that he had earlier tested negative to the virus from a test conducted after a hectic adaptation to the state’s newly introduced accounting system in March.
Meanwhile, Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State said the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Tony Ijohor and Chief of Staff (COS), Mr Terwase Orbunde have tested positive to COVID-19.
The governor disclosed this on Saturday while briefing newsmen in Makurdi.
He further said that the 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.
“So, after this interaction, I will isolate myself. I will be in isolation until I have clearance from the medical officers.
“COVID-19 is real and I enjoin my people to take the preventive measures seriously. I want my people to be alive and free from the disease.
“We have to stop the spread of the disease by maintaining all the COVID-19 protocols,” he said.
The governor also urged Benue people to avail themselves for testing, stressing that the earlier the disease is detected the better.
“Even if one who tests positive to the disease has underlining ailments and the virus is detected early enough, it will not kill the person.
“I want to repeat what my wife said in her statement that COVID-19 is not a death sentence. A lot of persons that tested positive have been treated and discharged.”
