Benue Deputy Governor Benson Abounu announced on Wednesday that Governor Samuel Ortom and his nine aides have tested positive for Coronavirus (COVID-19). It is the second time the governor would be infected with the virus.

Ortom, had through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Terver Akase, announced that his latest COVID-19 test result had returned positive.

“This follows the test results of most of the governor’s close aides who also returned positive in the last few weeks.

Akase said although the governor has not shown any symptoms of the disease, he has already commenced treatment as prescribed by medical personnel.

“He advises those who have come in contact with him in the last couple of days to go for test. The governor says it is equally important that those who came in contact with other persons who have tested positive for the virus should go for a test to ascertain their COVID-19 status.

“Governor Ortom urged Benue people to continue to observe the protocol for the prevention of the virus such as wearing of face masks, use of sanitisers, regular hand washing and physical distancing.

“He encouraged the people not to be afraid of going for COVID-19 test as only doing so would help in containing the spread of the disease,” the statement said as reported by The Nation.

Abounu, who also spoke in Makurdi during a news conference, said despite the number of aides that tested positive for the virus, government activities were going on smoothly.

The deputy governor, who is the chairman of Action Committee on COVID-19, said the committee had already carried out contact tracing of those who came in contact with all those infected by the virus