By M. Peter- Jos
Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong and members of his family have tested negative to the Corona Virus disease after carrying out the necessary test two days ago.
The samples of the Governor and members of his family were taken by health officials and forwarded to the NCDC laboratory in Abuja for examination and the results which were returned on Thursday showed negative.
Recalled that there were rumors that the Governor might have been infected by the disease since his contemporaries from other States tested positive to the disease.
READ : COVID-19: Centre for Communicable Diseases Asaba ready — Okowa
Reacting to the results, Governor Lalong said he and his family decided to take the test “in order to help in tackling the rising stigma that is gradually building up on the disease and making people reluctant of coming out even when they notice any symptoms.”
The Governor, his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Makut Macham in a statement said “Corona Virus is not a death sentence and if we are not careful, people can die out of fear and stigma. I call on all our citizens particularly those who notice any symptoms of the disease including difficulty in breathing, fever, cough, sore throat, headache and general fatigue, or have had contact with any infected person to report to health officials and submit themselves for examination.”
READ ALSO: Minister faults Wike on arrest of pilots, airline operators threaten to shut down operations
He further disclosed that the NCDC has already approved the establishment of a corona virus testing centre in Plateau State which will “take off very soon and reduce challenges associated with the shuttle to Abuja for testing.”
