Covid-19: Plateau State is the first in Nigeria to commence mass testing of Civil Servants- Gov Lalong

Covid-19: Plateau State is the first in Nigeria to commence mass testing of Civil Servants- Gov Lalong

By Daniel Kura

Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State has disclosed that the State is the first in the Country to commence mass testing of Civil Servants for the deadly COVID-19.

Gov. Lalong stated this today in a press briefing which held at the conference hall old Government House Rayfield Jos,  through the Secretary to Government of Plateau, Prof. Danladi Atu.

He directed all Local Government Chairmen to replicate all the decision taken by Plateau State Government and ensure that the COVID-19 guidelines are observed in their respective local government areas.

He regretted that the State has recorded 19 deaths and it is observing 454 suspected cases at the moment.

He urged Plateau residents not to panic with the 148 new cases released by NCDC and said it is a cumulated results which were delayed because of the shortage of reagents at the NVRI Laboratory in Vom.

“Following the directive by Governor Simon Lalong that all staff of Ministries and MDAs be secured, we have so far conducted tests for 4,422 staff of 54 MDAs with 174 of them testing positive, he added  

The Governor also reveals that 58 health workers are also affected by the virus. So far, the health workers affected are as follows; 10 doctors, 15 nurses, 3 CEWs, 2 J/CHEWs, 3 pharmacist  technician, 4 Laboratory scientists, 1 lab technician, 1 record clerk, 1 watchman and 14 cleaners.”

Lalong said a decision has been taken in collaboration with the Muslim Ummah and security chiefs in the state to suspend prayers at the Eid grounds during the forth coming Eid-el Kabir celebration.

He noted that all festivals including visits to recreational centres such as Zoo and wildlife park he halted while residents should strickly use face masks during and after the occasion.

Lalong placed a ban on the use of tricycle in the state for two days and insisted that residents must observed the Federal Government curfew from 10:00pm to 6:00am.