Plateau Government has decried community resistance in some local government areas in the state, where people prevent health officials from conducting COVID-19 test.
The State Incidence Manager, Mrs. Martina Nuwan, disclosed this at a media engagement sensitisation meeting on COVID-19 reporting and awareness, organised by the State Primary HealthCare Department Board on Monday in Jos.
Nuwan, in her presentation, said only six confirmed cases of COVID-19 were recorded in Wase Local Government Area, blaming the figure on community resistance to test for COVID-19 being conducted by the assigned officials.
She said that out of the 3,497 cases recorded in the state, Jos South Local Government Area had the highest number of 1,478 cases, followed by Jos North with 1,325 cases.
“We have conducted test of 32,263 total samples from our first case in April till October 4.
“We have discharged 2,715 patients, recorded 33 deaths and have 749 active cases. The number of discharged persons indicates our case management pillar is doing well,”she said.
The official said males were the highest infected persons, adding that 62 health workers were infected with the disease while caring for patients.
She said the State Government was adopting the ‘box in’ strategy of test, isolate and quarantine in order to combat the disease in the state.
She described the media engagement as apt, as it was meant to disseminate information to the public for appropriate action aimed mitigating the outbreak.
Earlier in his remarks, the Executive Secretary of the board, Dr Livinus Miapkwap, said the media was critical in combating the pandemic.
Represented by the Director of Primary Health Care, Mr Ayuba Salisu, Miapkwap said the meeting was to create more awareness on the preventive measures against the disease in order to control its community transmission.
It was reported that the state Commisioner for Health, Dr Nimkong Lar, had said at a stakeholders meeting with political and religious leaders, that COVID-19 Survellance teams were attacked is some communities while discharging their duties.