The Abia State government has announced that the state governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu has tested positive for COVID 19.
This is following a second sample submitted by the state governor to the Nigeria Center For Disease Control (NCDC) laboratory for reconfirmation of it’s earlier result which returned negative on June 2.
The second sample sent on June 4, however returned positive.
The state government however noted that the governor has gone into isolation, as required by NCDC.
A statement by the state government said “Recall that on Saturday, 30th May, 2020, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu volunteered his sample for COVID-19 test and subsequently directed members of the state Executive Council (EXCO) and those of the inter ministerial committee on COVID-19 to submit themselves for the same test. On Tuesday, 2nd June, 2020. The result of Governor Ikpeazu’s test returned negative.
“On Thursday, 4th June, 2020, the Governor submitted another sample at the Nigeria Center For Disease Control (NCDC) laboratory for confirmation and the result returned positive.
“As a result, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has gone into isolation, as required by relevant NCDC protocols, and he is being managed by a competent team of medical practitioners with a view to nursing him back to good health.
“Consequent on the above, the Governor has directed his Deputy, Rt Hon Ude Oko Chukwu, to act on his behalf pending his full resumption of duties.
“We wish to urge all Abians to take the fight against COVID-19 serious as the disease is real but not a death sentence.
Our state has the resources to manage patients back to good health,” the state said.
