Ortom to undergo fresh COVID-19 test as his chief of staff, Benue SSG get infected

Samuel Ortom, governor of Benue state, will undergo a fresh COVID-19 test in three days.

TheCable had reported that Eunice, his wife, and one of the governor’s sons tested positive for the disease on Friday.

The governor had sent his sample for test and the result came back negative but briefing reporters in Makurdi, the state capital, on Saturday, Ortom said doctors have advised him to undergo another test.

He said Tony Ijohor, secretary to the state government, and Terwase Orbunde, his chief of staff, have also contracted the disease.

The governor added that Veronica Onyeke, head of service in the state, and Godwin Achinge, deputy vice chancellor (administration), Benue State University, Makurdi, have also been infected.

“It is no longer news that my wife, one of my sons and staff tested positive to the virus too. The test was carried out about a week ago. When the result came out 35 persons in the state tested positive to the virus,” he said.

“My test result came out negative. But the medical officers said that another test will be carried out on me after three days.

“So, after this interaction I will isolate myself. I will be in isolation until I have clearance from the medical officers.

“COVID-19 is real and I enjoin my people to take the preventive measures seriously. I want my people to be alive and free from the disease.

“We have to stop the spread of the disease by maintaining all the COVID-19 protocols,” he said.

The governor also urged Benue people to avail themselves for testing, saying that the earlier the disease is detected the better.

“Even if one who tests positive to the disease has underlining ailments and the virus is detected early enough it will not kill the person,” he said.

“I want to repeat what my wife said in her statement that COVID-19 is not a death sentence. A lot of persons that tested positive have been treated and discharged.”