The Molecular Laboratory facility at the Virology Centre in Ebonyi State has started testing for coronavirus.

This was disclosed by the Governor of the state, David Nweze Umahi, during a state broadcast to the people on the activities of the state government to curtail the spread of the disease.

He said the centre which was built by his admin istration was upgraded to a test centre with the support of the Federal government through the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and that made it the 7th Coronavirus Testing Centre in the country.

According to the Governor, reagents have been configured to fit into the screening machines owned by the State Government and eight suspected cases were examined at the lab, of which all tested negative and would be discharged accordingly.

He stated that with the three treatment and isolation centres in place and the check points at the various borders, the state is prepared to fight against the spread of the disease in the state stressing that precautionary measures are duly enforced. He further charged political office holders at all levels and security agencies to further ensure full enforcement of the directives on the COVID-19 pandemic.

Meanwhile, the Ebonyi State chapter of Nigerian Medical Association, in a statement by the Chairman, John Where and Secretary, Nwoye Chukwuemeka, of the association, have implored the state government not to recall aged workers to the field, as they are more vulnerable with higher case fatality, but employ young and jobless health workers in the state to fight the virus.

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He enjoined the state government to motivate health workers who are in the front line battle against the disease through improvement of their hazard allowance, insurance policy and increment in the take home package. He then called on religious leaders to stop congregation at worship centres instead pray in their various homes.