As a better strategy for quick detection of cases of Coronavirus in the state, Benue State Government has announced plans to get a COVID-19 mobile testing centre soon.
This is also as Benue State has so far spent over N240 million in the fight against COVID-19.
Deputy Governor of Benue state and Chairman of the State Action Committee on COVID-19, Mr. Benson Abounu, disclosed this on Wednesday while briefing newsmen at Government House Makurdi.
Abounu explained that the arrangement, championed by the Northern Governors’ Forum would make the mobile testing centres available to each of the Northern States at the cost of $384,000 (US Dollars) per unit, which requires Benue to pay N8 million monthly for 24 months.
Engr. Abounu, who lamented the high risk of community transmission of the virus in the state blamed it on negligence of the preventive measures especially the use of facemasks.
He, therefore, informed that the state was considering enforcement of the use of face masks, which he stated was one of the most effective preventive measures.
He said the 100,000 face masks procured by state would be distributed to people across the state towards the end of the week and advised everyone to always wear masks while leaving their homes.
The Deputy Governor confirmed 47 cases of the virus in the state as at June 24, 2020, saying 26 males and 21 females have been affected, out of which 16 have been treated and discharged with 30 currently receiving medical attention at the treatment and isolation centres in Benue State University Teaching Hospital, BSUTH, and Federal Medical Centre, FMC, Makurdi.
While acknowledging the need to take adequate care of medical personnel in charge of testing and management of patients, Abounu said a total of five medical doctors, two drivers and a supporting staff had so far tested positive to the virus in the state.
The Deputy Governor further explained that the alleged fatality due to COVID-19 in the State was being treated for leukemia – cancer of the blood and bone marrow disease, pointing out that few days to his death, he was coughing profusely and had to be tested for the virus, only for the result to return positive a day after he died.
Benue State has also done well in terms of contact tracing, adding that in the alleged fatality case, over 100 contacts had been traced and samples collected for testing.
