Kwara state now has a second COVID-19 testing centre, which will be fully operational soon, the state government announced Thursday in a statement by the chief press secretary to the governor, Rafiu Ajakaye.
The government also clarified that the disparity in figures from COVID -19 cases was due to the delayed declaration on the part of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) which deals with results from states.
The statement clarified further that the state until recently only recorded five casualties from COVID -19 with the latest being the death of the former Chief of Staff, Aminu Adisa Logun, bringing the total number to six.
The statement however commended the NCDC for its support and the health workers for their immeasurable sacrifice.
It reads in part: ‘‘The government also wishes to say that disparity in the figure of positive cases often arises because of late or delayed declaration on the part of the NCDC which understandably deals with results from several states.
“Each state has direct access to test result from the laboratory. So Kwara religiously reflects test results from samples it forwarded to the test centres outside of the state. It is also pertinent to state that disparity in figures occurs in cases of ‘repeat tests’. What is constant however is that neither the NCDC nor the state has any reason to under-declare or overstate anything.
‘‘Citizens would notice a sudden leap in the figure of casualties attributed to COVID-19 pandemic in Kwara State. Until yesterday, Tuesday July 7th, casualties as reflected in our infographics were five. The unfortunate death of the Chief of Staff Aminu Adisa Logun ought to bring the tally to six.
“However, the state has just been notified of six deaths from the UITH whose post-mortem test confirmed them to be COVID patients. It is therefore imperative to reflect such for proper record keeping and public information. Steps have been taken to avoid such gaps in the future.
‘‘Finally, the government restates the need for everyone to take personal responsibility in our efforts to contain this virus. COVID-19 is a present and clear danger.”
