Oswald Agwu.
The Ebonyi State Government said it has tested 1,472 persons for COVID-19 in the State, out of which 40 were positive.
The disclosure was made by Governor David Umahi during his weekly live update on the Coronavirus situation in the State held on Thursday at the Executive Council Chambers, Government House, Abakaliki.
According to the Governor, eight persons out of the positive cases have so far been treated and discharged, with 32 active cases at the treatment centres.
Umahi also disclosed that 206 persons arrested at the various borders as at the date were still held at the various holding centres across the State for 14 days observation and possible testing, noting that shortage of test kits have continued to remain a major challenge.
Umahi further announced that the Committee has approved the sum of N80 million for the renovation of Elunwovu Health Centre in Abakaliki Local Government Area as a new isolation/treatment centre to complement existing ones.
Umahi explained: “So far we have tested 1,472 samples in Ebonyi State.
“A total of 40 tested positive and eight have been treated and discharged, while we still have 32 active cases.
“We have a total of 206 persons at the 39 holding Centres across the 13 local government areas of the State and the capital city.
“We have 31 in Ohaozara, Onicha 18; Ivo 44; Afikpo South has seven; Afikpo North, zero; Ezza South, zero.
“Those have been discharged after 14 days in isolation and after testing negative.
“Ezza North has 21; Ikwo, 20; Ishielu, six; Abakaliki, nine; Izzi, 23; Ebonyi, 23; and Ohaukwu, 35
“The Security Council meeting and the COVID-19 Committee did approve today that the Elunwovu Health General Hospital should be the next treatment centre and a Committee has been formed under the Speaker to renovate the hospital within the next 10 days.
“The COVID-19 and security council approved the sum of about N80 million to this effect.”
Umahi further explained that the Committee set up for the renovation of the hospital has his SSA on Human Capital Development, Ann Aligwe, as Chairman, while the outgoing Chairman of Afikpo South Local Government Area, Eni Uduma Chima, is the Secretary.
Meanwhile, the Governor seized the event to announce that the State Government would extend palliatives to Ebonyi indigenes in Port Harcourt, Enugu, Nnewi, Onitsha and some Northern parts of the Country.
He charged all those concerned to intensify surveillance at the State borders.