The Plateau state Governor Simon Lalong, his wife and children for the second time tested negative for coronavirus.
Governor Lalong who revealed this Sunday night in a press statement signed by his Director of press and public affairs, Dr. Makut Macham said the immediate staff of the governor have also tested negative to the virus.
“This follows another test conducted on the Governor and his household as a result of the recent cases recorded within his cabinet when a Commissioner and his Chief of Staff tested positive,” he said.
According to Makut, recorded cases necessitated the overnor and members of his family to subject themselves to another test on July 4, 2020, having conducted the test in April 2020 which all turned out negative.
Makut said governor Lalong, while reacting said: “I have continued to encourage people to subject themselves to Covid-19 test which is very important for us to determine the magnitude of the disease and level of the spread in order to curb further spread and treat people before they get to critical stages.
“Submitting myself and family to another test was therefore necessary as part of leadership by example and also responding to the recent cases of one of my Commissioners and Chief of Staff who were confirmed positive.”
He reiterated that Covid-19 was not a death sentence, and advised the people to always take personal responsibility for their health and the health of others by adhering to the guidelines put in place to fight the disease such as the mandatory use of facemasks, social distancing, hand washing and the use of sanitizers.
According to him, “So far, the testing capacity in Plateau State has increased as more people are being tested daily at the NVRI Laboratory in Vom and the TB Reference Laboratory at the Jos University Teaching Hospital.
“Efforts are also being made to have the testing also conducted at the Plateau state specialist hospital. As at 5th July 2020, about 6,000 people have been tested so far in the state.”
The governor has directed continued enforcement of compliance to Covid-19 guidelines particularly in public places as violators are sanctioned accordingly.
He also warned against stigmatising infected persons, adding, “Unless the disease is demystified, it will be difficult to overcome.”
