The Rivers State Government has announced that it will begin facility testing for COVID-19. This is to help confirm those who are positive for the virus.
The State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Princewill Chike made the revelation in a media briefing on the new index case of the virus yesterday in Port Harcourt. He said the ministry will no longer wait for information from the public anymore before they act. The ministry can now move into any suspected facility and carryout tests, he noted.
Prof. Chike who expressed displeasure at the evasiveness of people said contact tracing has commenced for high risk contacts for possible testing. He urged the press to assist in sensitising the people on the need to report to health facilities, if they develop symptoms.
The commissioner who warned private hospitals not accredited by the government not to treat COVID-19 patients, said any hospital caught treating patients without approval, will be shutdown and taken over by the government.
