Gate of Plateau State Specialist Hospital, Jos
By Raymond Gukas, Jos
Worried that Plateau State is second highest COVID-19 infection in the country today, the state governor, Simon Lalong has advised the citizens to get use to the preventive guidelines as it is evident that “we are going to have to live with this pandemic for a long time.”
He stated this during a press briefing in Jos, the state capital where he directed the mandatory use of face masks in all public places.
The governor also regretted that so far, “the total health workers affected is 58 with 10 doctors, 15 nurses, 3 CHEWs, 2 J/CHEWs, 3 pharmacist technicians, 4 laboratory scientists, 1 lab technician, 1 record clerk, 1 watchman and 14 cleaners.”
He, was however happy, to say “that as at today, we have 3 testing centres in Plateau State located at the NVRI, Vom, Plateau State Specialist Hospital and the Jos University Teaching Hospital”, which he added “has greatly enhanced our testing capacity and enabled us to know the extent of the spread of the disease in the State and also respond appropriately.”
He lamented that the state was now experiencing community transmission of the virus and this has made the state to commence mass testing of the citizens beginning with the civil servants.
Giving the breakdown of the state’s COVID-19 status, Lalong said the state currently has “been given sample collection target of 87,000. Meaning we have tested about 485 people per day.
“As at today July 28, 2020, we have tested a total of cumulative samples numbering 14,816 out of which 10,922 results have been received. Pending results are 3,894. From all the tests conducted, 982 have tested positive.
“The total number of people on admission is 221 with 18 at Riyom Trauma Hospital, JUTH 64, PSSH 70 and BhUTH 7. About 145 are on home management while the remaining are being moved to treatment centers. All those on admission are doing fine and responding to treatment”, he declared.
Cumulatively, he added that 446 persons have been discharged but sadly, it recorded 19 deaths. “We are observing 454 suspected cases at the moment.”
These figures, he stressed, should not cause panic and anxiety, but rather make the people resolve to adopt safety precautions and also adhere to the guidelines.
