By Matthew Ajai-Kume
Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has tested positive to COVID-19.
Making this known in a press statement availed news men Wednesday in Makurdi, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Terver Akase, said his principal revealed to him that his latest result of COVID-19 test returned positive.
“Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom says the latest result of his COVID-19 test has returned positive, this follows the test results of most of the governor’s close aides who also returned positive in the last few weeks,” the statement said.
In his words: “Though the Governor has not shown any symptom of the disease, he has already commenced treatment as prescribed by medical personnel.”
The CPS in the statement said, the governor has advised those who came in contact with him in the last couple of days to go for for test.
According to Akase, the governor has equally advised and called on other persons who came in contact with others who tested positive for the virus to go to ascertain their COVID-19 status.
He said, the governor urged the people of Benue State to continue to observe the protocol for the prevention of the virus such as wearing of face masks, use of hand sanitisers, regular hand washing and physical distancing.
The governor encouraged the people not to be afraid of going for COVID-19 test, as only doing so would help in containing the spread of the disease.
Meanwhile, the security operatives at the Benue People’s House, Makurdi have taken an order from the Chief Security Officer to the governor, to ensure everyone coming into the premises to adhere to the protocol of containing the spread of the virus.
It could be recalled that for about three (3) weeks now, Governor Ortom had been working in isolation, due to the positive status of some of his close aides.
During the working isolation period, the governor’s deputy, Engr Benson Abounu was in charge of most of government official activities and functions, in order to ensure that the day to day running of the government went on.
The Voice spoke to some staff of the Benue People’s House, Makurdi on condition of anonymity and they expressed readiness to continue to observe all the protocol to avoid contracting the virus or spreading it to others.
