The Chairman, Benue State Committee on COVID-19 and the Deputy Governor of the state, Benson Abounu, on Wednesday said five medical doctors, two ambulance drivers and one emergency workers were among people that tested positive for COVID-19 in the state.
Abounu said the first patient to die of COVID-19 in the state was not treated for coronavirus but leukaemia.
He explained that the deceased only started coughing three days to his demise and his samples were taken to Abuja for test which returned positive.
The deputy governor said over 100 people who had contact with the deceased had been traced.
Abounu said, “The case was not managed as COVID-19. About 20 days ago the gentleman had a major surgical operation; he had cancer of the bone marrow.
“But three days to his demise, he started coughing and his samples were sent to Abuja and it came out positive.
“It is difficult at this stage to say what really killed him was COVID-19.
“So far, three doctors working with the state government are positive, there are two other doctors who tested positive in other outfits. Also, there are two drivers of our ambulance and one emergency worker who is also positive.”
The deputy governor said northern governors were making efforts to buy some mobile testing machine, adding that one cost $384,000.
Abounu noted that the machine would make it possible to test more people for the dreaded disease.
