BENIN CITY – The Edo State through its network of 4 PCR molecular laboratories has conducted a total of 3201 coronavirus (COVID-19) tests, which returned a total of 242 confirmed positive cases since the state started tracking the second wave of the pandemic on December 1, 2020.
The Edo State COVID-19 Incident Manager, Dr. Andrew Obi, disclosed this in a meeting of the Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) chaired by the state governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki.
According to him, “Since we started tracking the second wave of the coronavirus outbreak in Edo State from December 1, 2020, we have conducted a total of 3201 coronavirus (COVID-19) tests in the 4 PCR molecular laboratories in the state. We have a case positivity rate of 7.5 percent.
“These include the laboratories at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH); the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH); Edo Specialist Hospital and a private health facility, Lily Hospital.
“As at January 6, 2021, we have recorded 119 active COVID-19 cases and 10 recoveries. We also have 8 new cases reported from the PCR molecular laboratory at the UBTH.”
He said the state government has reactivated isolation and treatment facilities across the state for management of COVID-19 cases, noting that learnings from checking the spread of the first wave of the pandemic has proved beneficial in stemming the tide of the second wave.
However, Dr. Obi cautioned residents in the state to abide by the precautionary health and safety guidelines and protocols set by the government to stall the spread of the virus in the state.
