Umahi laments lack of test kits as Ebonyi’s COVID-19 cases hit 33

The Ebonyi State Government has confirmed recording of additional 20 new cases of coronavirus disease in the state from May 20 to 24.

Governor David Umahi disclosed this on Sunday at the executive Chambers while addressing newsmen on the increase, stating that out of the 33, 6 persons were treated and discharged.

Umahi noted that there was no case recorded in any community yet, adding that all the cases were those intercepted at the borders coming from other states.

He reiterated that between April 26 to May 20, 2020 the state recorded 13 cases, but on May 22, 9 new cases were recorded, 6 from Ishielu local government two from Ivo and one from Izzi.

Then on 23rd May, additional 9 cases were recorded in Afikpo North alone, while 2 cases were recorded on May 24, from Ohaukwu local government area.

“This is very disturbing because if the various inter-state lockdown are observed in other states, then we will not have problem of this cases,” he maintained.

The governor lamented insufficient test kits from NCDC, stating that some of those at the holding centers were being held for 14days without being tested because of lack of test kits.

“We are suspecting that some of these people got infected at the holding centers. But if we have test kits, as they come we test them after 14days and if they are negative they go, but when you keep them for 21days and the thing develops and you don’t know who has it, then it’s a major problem.

“So the federal government has to do something about this. If you ask us to hold this people, Isolate them from the society we can’t even ask them to go back to their places and Isolate.

“Some people are living five in one room in the rural areas, so the best practice is what we are doing by collecting them at the borders as they sneak in and manipulate themselves into the state. Hold them together according to NCDC policy and then have them tested.

“But where there are no test kits what do we do? Some of them have stayed 21days, so I think there should be enough test kits in all the labs so that we can follow the NCDC policy.

“And I want to thank Ebonyians for following the NCDC policy religiously, but they can’t manipulate or manufacturer the test kits,” he noted.