Covid-19: Gov. Ortom of Benue tests positive

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has reportedly tested positive for the deadly Coronavirus disease.

The governor who disclosed this on his official Twitter account, claimed that he has not shown any symptom of the virus even after he was confirmed to have the disease.

This is to confirm that the result of my last COVID-19 test returned positive. Though I have not shown any symptoms, I have already commenced treatment. Let me advise those who have come in contact with me in the last couple of days to go for test.

— Samuel Ortom (@GovSamuelOrtom) January 27, 2021

The governor now joined the list of other governors who had tested positive for the virus including Ondo State's Rotimi Akeredolu, Lagos State's Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Oyo's Makinde, and Kaduna's El-Rufai among others.

Those who have lost their lives to the virus include President Muhammadu Buhari's former chief of staff, Abba Kyari; former Oyo State's, Abiola Ajimobi; former senator who represented Ogun State, Buruji Kashamu and others.

The governor whose case could be described asymptomatic advised all those who had come in contact with him to go for test, as not showing symptoms does not mean you don't have the virus.

"Let me advise those who have come in contact with me in the last couple of days to go for test," he tweeted.

It is important that those who came in contact with other persons who have tested positive for the virus should go for test to ascertain their COVID-19 status. I urge Benue people and other Nigerians to continue to observe the protocol for the prevention of the virus.

— Samuel Ortom (@GovSamuelOrtom) January 27, 2021

The country has been battling a second wave of the virus since the beginning of this year with fear over the second variant of the disease which was discovered in London.

The new variant is believed to be more contagious and deadly than the Covid-19 which was first discovered in Wuhan city of China in November, 2019.

Director-General of the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, confirmed on Monday that four people have already tested positive for the new variant three of which was imported while the other one is a victim who has contracted the virus in Nigeria.

The country total confirmed cases is over 120,000 and with over 1,500 people already lost to the pandemic.