COVID-19: We have capacity to test 600 people daily – Governor Obaseki

Edo State governor Godwin Obaseki has said that the state has built the facility for carrying out 600 daily COVID-19 tests in the state.

He added that the state has also created three additional Real Time-PCR Molecular Reference Laboratory operational in the state.

“In our COVID-19 response, we provided funding and platform for the setup of three additional Real Time-PCR Molecular Reference Laboratory in Edo State, with a daily testing capacity of 600 test per day at the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, (ISTH), University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Edo Specialist Hospital and Lily Hospital,” Obaseki said while addressing journalists in Benin over the weekend.

“There is also a massive procurement of laboratory commodities, personal protective equipment (PPE), ventilators, dialysis machines, PCR reagents, vehicles etc. essential for supporting COVID-19 response in Edo State.”

“The state government has also put in place a highly coordinated surveillance system across the 18 LGAs of the state as well as along entry and exit points into the state for contact tracing, line listing and active case search at facilities and communities.”

Obaseki also said the state has established a partnership with other institutions and groups within and out of the state in a bid to flatten the spread of the virus.