BREAKING: Abia Governor Tests Positive For COVID-19

Okezie Ikpeazu, governor of Abia state, has tested positive for COVID-19.

The state commissioner of information, John Okiyi Kalu, announced the case in a statement on Monday.

He said the governor had gone into isolation before his result came out positive, and that he has directed the deputy governor to act on his behalf pending the time he resumes duty.

On Saturday, 30th May, 2020, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu had dropped his sample for COVID-19 test which came out negative On Tuesday, 2nd June, 2020.

The governor had also directed members of the state Executive Council (EXCO) and those of the inter ministerial committee on COVID-19 to also take the same COVID-19 test.

On Thursday, 4th June, 2020, the Governor submitted another sample at NCDC laboratory for confirmation and the result returned positive.

The Commissioner said, "As a result, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has gone into isolation, as required by relevant NCDC protocols, and he is being managed by a competent team of medical practitioners with a view to nursing him back to good health.

”Consequent on the above, the Governor has directed his Deputy, Rt Hon Ude Oko Chukwu, to act on his behalf pending his full resumption of duties.

”We wish to urge all Abians to take the fight against COVID-19 serious as the disease is real but not a death sentence. Our state has the resources to manage patients back to good health.”