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The Cross River State Government has alleged that some people are offering money to residents of the state to claim COVID-19 positive.
The commissioner for health in state, Dr. Betta Edu, who made the claim said those behind the evil acts sent text messages to residents with monetary promises if they claim to be COVID-19 positive.
Edu, who is also the Chairman, COVID-19 task force team described the trend as worrisome.
In an interview on TVC Thursday night, she said the state is probing the source of the messages.
On Wednesday, she appealed to the Federal authorities for more kits and funds.
Up till date, the state has received only 50 test kits from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control.
That, she said, is grossly inadequate for the 4.5million people in the state.
According to her, with the release of funds and more test kits, samples will be taken across the state.
They will then be sent to Irrua Teaching Hospital in Edo State for laboratory testing.
She also said the NCDC staff that are expected in the state to commence collection of samples would be quarantined for 14 days.
She noted that the state was more interested in the prevention of the virus than its management.
“As a state, we have shut down borders and all land entrances to prevent the spread of the virus. It is not compulsory that all states will be affected.
“The state government is doing all it can to ensure that it remains COVID-19 free. The no mask, no movement policy had helped a lot in achieving the fight against the pandemic,” she said.