The Plateau Government on Sunday announced the first death resulting from COVID-19 in the state.
Gov. Simon Lalong made the announcement during a media briefing on the update of COVID-19 in Plateau at Government House, Jos.
Lalong explained that the patient died before his result of COVID -19 which read positive came out.
“As at today, we have successfully treated and discharged 10 infected persons including the index case who have all been reunited with their families.
“The other 22 infected persons are still undergoing treatment and in stable condition. Sadly, the one suspect whose sample was taken died yesterday before his result was returned positive,” he said.
He said the state had recorded more cases of COVID-19 that rose to 33, which had necessitated redoubling of efforts to checkmate community spread, by conducting contact tracing, isolating suspected contacts and treating the infected patients.
The governor said breaches at the interstate border was the major challenge the state was facing in its efforts to control the spread of the disease but was engaging community members to block illegal routes.
“This has exposed the state to more dangers of COVID-19, as virtually all the cases we have recorded, originated from other states and were imported by people who defied our directives and entered the State at all costs. This is indeed sad,” he said.
He said to ensure better enforcement and compliance, the state government would enrol some of its civil servants on grade levels 10 to 14 for the exercise, while such action would also be replicated at the Local Government Areas.
Lalong said that the government had to review some of its guidelines on its lockdown due to concerns of residents’ hardship to access financial institutions.
“With effect from May 17, 2020, the total lockdown will resume from midnight of every Sunday and be relaxed on Wednesdays 12 midnight.