“Benue State Government Addresses Alleged Fresh COVID-19 Case, Assures Residents: No Confirmed Cases Exist
The Benue State government moved swiftly on Wednesday to dispel fears of a purported new COVID-19 case within the state. Dr. Yanmar Ortese, the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, clarified in a statement that there were no confirmed instances of COVID-19 in any part of Benue.
Ortese labeled reports of a fresh outbreak as mischievous and baseless, emphasizing that it stemmed from a misquotation of a World Health Organization (WHO) surveillance officer’s statement. This statement was actually intended to promote COVID-19 vaccination.
Highlighting that the last recorded COVID-19 case in Benue was in May, the Commissioner emphasized that all cases were asymptomatic. He urged media practitioners in the state to practice responsible journalism, emphasizing the importance of verifying information before dissemination. Misleading headlines, he noted, contributed to undue panic and hindered efforts aimed at achieving targeted vaccination goals in the state.”
