Edo state-Screens, collects Samples Of Over 100 persons On Transit From Rivers State And Kano state.

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…tests travellers for COVID-19

With increased vigilance at the state’s borders to halt the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), the Edo State Government has screened and collected samples of over 100 travellers from Rivers and Kano States for COVID-19 tests.

Addressing journalists in Benin City, the state capital, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Patrick Okundia, said 26 travellers in a truck were stopped at AGIP Junction along Sapele Road and moved to the Stella Obasanjo Hospital for screening and testing to ascertain their COVID-19 status before they were let off to continue their journey.

The commissioner noted that the cargo truck was conveying the 26 passengers and the driver, and was loaded with bags of salt. He added that the truck was travelling from Rivers State and was waved down by security operatives at the AGIP Junction along Sapele Road, Benin City.

He added, “We are going to have their records well-documented. We have been directed to get them back into their truck, and direct security men to escort them out of Edo State. It is until they get far away from Edo State that they will be allowed to continue their journey.

Dr. Okundia said another batch of 75 travellers from Kano State, who were spotted at Irrua, Esan Central Local Government Area (LGA) of Edo State by men of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, were moved to the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH) for screening and testing.

According to him, “The management of the ISTH are screening and testing them. We are communicating and exchanging reports. The essence is to screen these persons and get them tested after which they will be allowed back into their truck to continue their journey and Police officers will escort them out of the state.”

The driver of the truck with registration number LSF 679 XZ spotted at Edo Central, John Monday, said he had just finished delivering his goods and decided to pick up the passengers who he charged between N500 and N700 on his way from Kano State en-route Ogun State.

Chairman, Esan Central LGA, Hon. Waziri Edokpayi, said samples of the travellers have been taken for testing at the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital.