A Nigerian governor, Samuel Ortom, and nine of his aides have tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19) disease, two statements confirmed on Wednesday.
Ortom, governor of Benue State in Nigeria’s middle belt region, contracted the virus but did not show any symptoms of the virus, his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Terver Akase, said in a statement.
Akase said: “The latest result of the governor’s 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.
“Though the governor has not shown any symptoms of the disease, he has already commenced treatment as prescribed by medical personnel,” Akase said.
He advised those who have had contact with the governor in the last couple of days to go for tests.
He added that it was equally important that those who came in contact with other persons who had tested positive for COVID-19 should go for test to ascertain their status.
Residents of the state are urged to continue to observe COVID-19 safety protocols such as wearing of face masks, use of hand sanitisers, regular hand washing and physical distancing.
He encouraged the people to go for COVID-19 test as part of efforts in containing the spread of the virus.
Also, Benue Deputy Governor, Engr. Benson Abounu, on Wednesday revealed that nine aides of Ortom had tested positive for Coronavirus.
Abounu, who made the disclosure in Makurdi during a press conference, said despite the number of aides that tested positive for the virus, all government activities were going on smoothly.
Abounu, the State Chairman of Action Committee on COVID-19, said the committee had already carried out contact tracing of those who came in contact with all those infected by the virus.
He said though nine aides tested positive for COVID-19, the pandemic had yet to affect the day-to-day running of government in the state.
According to NCDC records, Benue has 749 cases, 196 on admission, 535 persons discharged with 18 deaths.