Makinde kicks off testing of 2,000 Oyo residents for COVID-19

OYO State Governor, Seyi Makinde, Tuesday, kicked off a rapid testing initiative for COVID-19 in the state, declaring that the outcome of the exercise would help contain the spread of the virus.

  Governor Makinde, who declared open the COVID-19 Drive-Through/Walk-Through Testing, an initiative that is expected to test 2,000 samples within two weeks, at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan, said the rapid testing initiative aligned to his administration’s commitment to test at least 10,000 residents within a short time.

The free testing for 2000 residents of Oyo State is in partnership with a non-governmental organization, “Citizen for Citizen”.

  Flagging-off the Covid-19 free testing, Governor Seyi Makinde said large-scale testing would help determine where and when targeted lockdowns were necessary.

  The governor said the state was implementing one of the actions fundamental to next steps to know whether total lockdown was necessary or not.

  Governor Makinde expressed appreciation to the “Citizen for Citizen” organisation for donating the 2,000 test kits to use for the tests and the Life Bank Nigeria Organization, conducting the tests.

“Today, we are implementing one of the actions that are fundamental in deciding what our next steps will be. In the next few days after we increase testing, we will see for ourselves whether a complete lockdown is necessary.

Our aspiration is to test up to 10,000 people within the shortest possible time. We are starting with the first 2,000 from today. I have been told we can complete this round in two weeks.

“Let me use this opportunity to express our gratitude to the Citizen for Citizen Initiative led by Mrs Ibukun Awosika, which donated the 2,000 test kits we will use for the tests. We also thank Life Bank Nigeria, which is collaborating with us to conduct the tests,” Makinde stated.

The governor informed that 610 personal protective equipment were already on ground for the use of health workers while the state has also ordered an additional 400.

While commending the health workers in Oyo State, the governor said his administration would continue to prioritise their welfare, pointing out that they would be among the first to be tested in the drive-through and walk-through testing.

Speaking on behalf of the NGO, Mrs Temidayo Olatunbosun said the guidelines of Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC), would be followed in carrying out the testing of people on Covid-19 in Oyo State.

Mrs Olatunbosun urged residents of Oyo State who have the symptoms of Covid-19 to call Emergency Operation Center for necessary action.