PRESS RELEASE

REASONS FOR THE UPSURGE OF COVID-19 CASES IN PLATEAU STATE.

The Plateau State Government wishes to give an insight into the seeming high number of COVID-19 infections in Plateau State in recent weeks .
While the Government is concerned about the situation and continues to work towards overcoming it, the following explanations for the current scenario of the pandemic in the State would suffice:

1. There is Increase in community testing for the disease as Plateau State has 3 testing Centres at NVRI Vom, Plateau State Specialist Hospital and Jos University Teaching Hospital.
2. As at today (20th August 2020) records show that 23,396 samples have been collected across the State and sent to the laboratory, out of which, 21,015 results have been received. This makes Plateau State among the states with highest testing rate in the country. In fact, Plateau State is one of the few to have tested all its civil servants and continues to test other citizens.
3. Due to slow pace of processing samples, not all test results are released immediately thereby resulting in backlogs. For example, as at today (20/8/2020), there are 2,301 results pending at the National Veterinary Research Institute Vom testing centre alone, due to high traffic. Whenever such backlogs are released, it accounts for the high figures recorded against the State by the NCDC which might be misconstrued as daily figures.
4. Despite the fact that theres is increased awareness about the pandemic in the State, Government has noted wide
   non-adherence and or compliance to laid down protocols of wearing face masks, social distancing and hand washing by many citizens.

Government hereby uses this opportunity to call on its citizens to remain calm and strictly adhere to the protocols as these numbers will subside after the samples awaiting test are exhausted, and the situation normalises.

It might interest the public to know that government spends humongous amounts of money to provide free medication and other forms of support for those infected with the disease.
Regrettably, 25 deaths related to COVID-19 have been recorded in the State which represents 1.2 percent fatality rate, a figure that is by far lower than other States that have recorded well over 2 percent. However, His Excellency Governor Simon Lalong is worried with the loss of lives and remains determined to ensure that no further casualty is recorded.

Government hereby assures its citizens of utmost support and uses the opportunity to call on them to continue to observe the COVID-19 protocols of hand washing with soap under running water, use of certified sanitizers, wearing of face masks and maintaining social distancing.

CONTINUE TO THINK AND ACT PLATEAU.

Dan Manjang,
Honourable Commissioner,
Information and Communication,
Plateau State.
Thursday, 20th August, 2020

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Plateau Govt. Says Increase in Community Testing Reason for COVID-19 Upsurge, Urge Citizens to Remain Calm & Adhere to Health Protocols