Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has said 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 coronavirus (COVID-19) in the state.
Ortom’s wife, Eunice; son, cooks and some personal staff had earlier tested positive for the virus.
Speaking on Saturday, Ortom said his administration might be forced to impose a total lockdown on the state considering the rise in COVID-19 cases in the state.
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.”