The coronavirus has spread to Benue State as Nigeria recorded eight new cases, bringing the total confirmed infections in the country to 89.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control NCDC, made the update via its Twitter handle on Saturday.
It tweeted, “Eight new cases of #COVID19 have been reported in Nigeria, seven in Lagos State and one in Benue.
“As of 04:00 pm on 28th of March, there are 89 confirmed cases of #COVID19 reported in Nigeria with one dead.
“For a breakdown of cases by states in real time, Lagos currently has 59 cases, FCT – three, Ekiti – one, Oyo – three, Edo – two, Bauchi – two, Osun – one, Rivers – one, Enugu – two, and Benue – one.”
Meanwhile, Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has asked his deputy, Benson Abounu, to be tested for coronavirus.
Mr. Ortom disclosed this while briefing journalists in Makurdi, the state capital, shortly after the announcement by the NCDC about the spread of the disease to Benue.
He gave the name of the patient as Susan Okpe, who reportedly returned from the United Kingdom.
On the deputy, the governor said the 70-year-old Abounu was at a recently held National Economic Council meeting in Abuja.
At least two attendees at the meeting were reported to have tested positive for coronavirus.
Ortom said, “We are already tracing of all those Susan Okpe came in contact with.
“In addition, samples of two other ladies have been collected but one among them turned to be negative to the virus.
“I have also told my deputy governor to go for a test having returned from the National Economic Council meeting in Abuja even though he told me that he had no close contact with those suspected to have contracted the virus.”
CHECKPOINTCHARLEY 