COVID-19: Ortom mulls total lockdown as SSG, HoS, CoS, others test positive

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom on Saturday announced that the Secretary to the State Government, Tony Ijohor; Head of Service, Veronica Onyeke; and the Chief of Staff, Terwase Orbunde were among the 33 people who recently tested positive for COVID-19 in the state.

Governor Ortom also said his wife, Eunice Ortom, cooks, and some personal staff had earlier tested positive for the virus.

Ortom noted that with the rise in COVID19 cases in the state, the government may likely impose a total lockdown on the state to curtail the spread of the disease.

He said, “As my wife rightly announced of her COVID-19 positive status and that of our son late Friday, this should serve as a lesson to our people in the state that no one is immune to COVID-19 and we should all adhere strictly to the protocol set by WHO.

“We have thirty-three people who just tested positive for COVID-19 in the state, among them are, the Head of Service, SSG and my Chief of Staff also the deputy chairman of the state COVID-19 committee.

“The disease is right in my house, my wife, son, some of our cooks, maids, and other personal staff tested positive for the disease.

“Though (displaying his own COVID19 result) I am negative but my samples will still be taken in the next three days for another test, but right now, we are all in self-isolation. Already, the government house is being decontaminated.

“The action committee on COVID- 19 will meet next week and decide on whether to return to total lockdown.”