FG HAS VINDICATED US ON BENUE INDEX CASE - CCOMMISSIONER

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 By Nelson Ogbu 

Benue State Commissioner of Health and Human Services who doubles as the Secretary of the State's COVID 19 Action Committee, Dr Sunday Ongbabo said relevant authorities of the federal government has vindicated the state over the controversies generated by the issue of whether the index case of COVID 19 was positive or not. 

He said that the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, and the Federal Ministry of Health through the minister have confirmed that the patient's second test in Abuja was positive.

According to Ongbabo, Benue state Ministry of Health and the Action Committee did the needful by following laid down procedures for the testing of the patient's samples which was positive before her transfer to Abuja on request.

The  commissioner who also disclosed that the 23 persons that were isolated after having contacts with the index case all tested negative, said after a further confirmation, they would be discharged.

He observed that those speculating that the index case tested negative in the first instance were out for blackmail and cautioned them against joking with the life of a well respected Nigerian.

He said two relations of the patient were on self isolation and promised to keep the people posted on their status when the time comes.

The health commissioner said the committee would not take chances in its efforts towards preventing the disease from spreading in Benue state and urged those at the entry points of the state where thermometers have been placed for checking people to be more vigilant. 

He explained that at the Oweto bridge in Agatu local government area where people come into Benue state through Loko in Nasarawa state, all precautionary measures have been taken adding that more thermometers would be sent to the area for the checking of travelers who may be trying to circumvent the state's watertight surveillance and reiterated Governor Ortom's reviewed order that all markets should remain closed for another additional two weeks.

Ongbabo requested for the cooperation of the citizenry, stressing that the COVID 19 Action Committee and the Benue state government would not leave any stone unturned in its efforts to prevent the spread of the dreaded disease.

While urging those who attempted to rubish Benue state's efforts through the social media to instead commend her efforts, the commissioner insisted that as an expert in the management of emergency health problems, he would not allow COVID 19 to sneak into the state.

He therefore asked all the citizens to be information officers on the need to curtail the spread.