COVID-19: Death toll surging in Plateau – Lalong cries out

Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, on Wednesday said the state was witnessing an increasing number of coronavirus-related deaths. He described the situation as worrisome, saying there was urgent need for compliance to the laid down preventive measures aimed at curbing the spread of the disease. COVID-19 second wave: PDP wants new agency established, PTF scrapped […]

Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, on Wednesday said the state was witnessing an increasing number of coronavirus-related deaths.

He described the situation as worrisome, saying there was urgent need for compliance to the laid down preventive measures aimed at curbing the spread of the disease.

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Speaking during a stakeholder meeting in Jos, the state capital, the governor said: “Sadly in Plateau State, we are also recording an increasing number of deaths, and that is very worrisome. In the past weeks, we have seen some prominent persons in Plateau State and indeed across Nigeria die from COVID-19. Also, the state is recording more daily cases than previously.

“So, I have invited you here for us to rub minds on very important issues that border on the security and well-being of our people. A worrisome issue here is that despite this situation, most citizens appear to be careless and reluctant to observe the COVID-19 protocols. In fact, many have abandoned and refused to observe simple protocols of wearing face masks, maintaining social distance and washing of hands regularly.”

“While we have no intention of imposing another lockdown to avoid further damage to the economy, some members of the public are not helping us. But I hope everyone knows that as a government, we cannot fold our arms to witness people dying over a situation that is largely preventable. I hope we shall see a change of attitude going forward as we resume a more vigorous level of enforcement of all the protocols,” he said.

He warned those who were denying the existence of the virus and continue to misinform others to desist.

He, therefore, directed his commissioners and other senior government officials to go down to the grassroots to enlighten the people.

Similarly, Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has urged residents of the state to go for testing and know their COVID-19 status in order to avail themselves early treatment of the disease.

Ortom advised the people not to doubt the existence of the virus, stressing that “COVID-19 is real.”

He said residents would be complementing the government’s efforts in fighting the pandemic only by going for the test which will further determine the status of people.

The governor gave the advice in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Terver Akase, on Wednesday.

He added that the second wave of the pandemic was deadlier and required the collaboration of everyone to contain it.