There are concerns over the increasing number of COVID-19 patients in Plateau state in recent days as the state has now become and epicenter of the virus in Nigeria.
While some sources who spoke to our correspondent blamed it on increased testing for the virus, others suspect this could be as a result of the cold weather in the state.
Plateau is becoming the epicentre of the pandemic in Nigeria, emerging with the highest number of cases for one week running and have even moved to become the 3rd most infected state in Nigeria ahead of Kano, Oyo and Edo.
The situation has triggered fears that this could be as a result of the cold weather in the state.
Various scientific studies, including a recent one that focused on eight countries, suggest that the coronavirus is more severe in cold weather than in warmer ones.
CNN also reported how spending more time indoors as a result of the cold weather is “likely to make the novel coronavirus spread more easily”.
With Nimkong Lar, Plateau commissioner for health, Dabe Francis, the state epidemiologist, yet to comment on the recent situation, citizens in the state have expressed fear as to the rising number of cases and mysterious deaths.
However, a medical doctor who works at a testing centre at the National Veterinary Research Institute in the state told TheCable that the high number of cases not surprising because there are government-driven efforts to test more people.
Plateau State Governor, Simon :Lalong in his brief to presssmen on Monday, 21st September aknowledged that the state has become the epicenter of the outbreak and was quick to say that “This is not surprising considering our testing capacity compared to many States who rarely feature on such chart, because they are nowhere near us in terms of testing.”
He further said; As Governor, I want to re-assure you and the entire people of Plateau State of the commitment of my administration to not only work towards overcoming this disease, but also ensure that our State makes progress. I am in constant touch with the Federal Government, the private sector and international partners to ensure that our State receives the attention it deserves and urged the citizens to continue to play their part as we work to defeat this pandemic and move our State forward.
to speak to the press, said the Plateau state government had mandated civil servants to get tested for the coronavirus before resuming.
Lalong had earlier insisted Every civil servant under the state government mandated to take a test before they resume, and many of them have resumed,” he said.
“It is only Plateau and Lagos that have facilities for voluntary testing. What that means is every citizen that is interested is getting tested.
“You don’t have to show symptoms before you get tested or you don’t have to be in contact with a confirmed case.”
He also said some of the confirmed coronavirus cases from the state in recent days were samples taken as far back as two weeks ago.
“Some are coming as emergency testing for those with severe symptoms and might need ventilators; those ones are handled immediately,” the doctor added.
We also gathered that another measure in line with the state policy for mass testing is the conduct of free testing for residents in Jos north local government area.
A resident of the state told TheCable on Wednesday that the policy commenced earlier this week, adding that anyone in the LGA who wishes to get tested “will be tested free of charge”.
Unlike Plateau, testing for the novel coronavirus still comes at a great cost in some states.
In Kogi, which has been in the limelight over lack of testing, no one was tested for the virus in August.
Reports have emerged on how the state is turning a blind eye to patients with symptoms similar to those indicating coronavirus infection.