BENUE: Ortom tests positive for Covid-19, advises aides, others in recent contact with him to go for check

GOVERNOR Samuel Ortom has tested positive for the lethal Covid-19.

A statement made available Wednesday to journalists in Markurdi by his Chief Press Secretary, Terver Akase, said, “the latest result of his (Ortom) Covid-19 test has returned positive.”

There was speculation before Ortom declared his status that he might have contracted the virus because his camp was recently hit by the pandemic.

Many of his aides, including his personal physician, aide de camp, orderly, permanent secretaries among others recently tested positive for the virus.

Akase’s statement continued, “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.

The statement added that the governor advised those who have come in contact with him in the last couple of days to go for test.

“The Governor says it is equally important that those who came in contact with other persons who have tested positive for the virus should go for a test to ascertain their COVID-19 status.

Akase said that Governor Ortom urged Benue people to continue to observe the protocols for the prevention of the virus such as wearing of face masks, use of sanitisers, regular hand washing and physical distancing.

He encourages the people not to be afraid of going for COVID-19 test as doing so would help in containing the spread of the disease.