Benue COVID-19 Cases Increase To 38 With 11 Discharged, Says Ongbabo

By Godwin Akor, Makurdi

Secretary to the Benue State Action Committee on COVID-19 and Commissioner for Heath and Human Services, Dr Sunday Ongbabo, has said COVID-19 cases have increased from 35 to 38.

Ongbabo told journalists in an interview that the spread of the disease has reached community level and advised the people to ensure usage of face masks, maintain social distancing and observe other COVID-19 protocols.

The expert in emergency health services said the remaining patient’s were responding to treatment and stressed that

Benue and Nigeria cannot insist on continuous lockdown because America, Britain, Italy and other countries have had tough times dealing with the pandemic.

Ongbabo further stated that many of the citizens appear to be stubborn, pointing out that it would be impossible for the Benue State government to appoint persons that would put face masks on the people at their homes and places of work.

According to him, the Action Committee headed by the Deputy Governor, Engr Benson Abounu, would soon recommend the enforcement of the usage of face masks because of non-compliance..

He noted that many have refused to observe social distancing in the mosques, churches and markets and asked those insisting on gathering in large numbers to choose between their lives and such congestion.

Ongbabo said some workers have contracted the disease and urged the general body of workers to strictly observe COVID-19 protocols at work and in their homes.

He said every Benue citizen has to step up adherence to CoVID-19 protocols and noted that any one that doubts the existence of COVID-19 runs the risk of contracting the disease.

He called on the people to continue to cooperate with members of the committees set up at different levels and observed with delight that the state has not lost any one to COVID-19.