No fewer than 15 members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) currently at the orientation camp, Awgu in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State have tested positive to coronavrus.
Disclosing this to newsmen in Enugu yesterday, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Emmanuel Obi, also said that 21 persons have died so far as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic while 187 health workers had been infected with the disease since its outbreak in the country.
Obi noted that the state has recorded a total of 9,591 cases since its outbreak this year, adding that no fewer than 7,489 cases have been treated and discharged. He said there were presently 30 active cases, including the 15 corps members.
While warning that the pandemic was yet to be over, he urged residents to take advantage of the sample collection centres in 15 local government areas of the state.
The commissioner stated that though the disease had hit the state by surprise with the initial two confirmed cases, the state government had lived up to its responsibilities in the provision of test kits, protective materials and drugs where necessary.
According to him, “We have received support from some Non- Governmental Organization (NGOs); World Health Organization; Red Cross among others. We now have a testing centre at the UNTH, Enugu.
“We have a private hospital that is also testing and we are in the process of reviewing how many more can be tested.”
He said the state government had put in place machineries to monitor those who would be entering the state during the Christmas and New Year celebrations, stressing that response teams have been activated in all the 17 local government councils of the state for the purpose.