Kenny Folarin, Abuja

Eighteen National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members posted to Niger State have been confirmed to have exhibited COVID-19 symptoms.

The Corps members were said to have tested positive, following a test conducted on them by the state Ministry of Health.

Information Commissioner Sani Idris, who announced this while addressing reporters yesterday in Minna, the state capital, said the development had spurred the state to resuscitate its COVID-19 task force and ensure the observance of all safety protocols.

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“We agreed that the state government would resuscitate the task force on COVID-19 to restore the COVID-19 protocols as an immediate action.

“Nobody would have access to all public offices without wearing of facemasks. All heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) have been directed to provide hand-washing facilities,” he said.

Also, the management of Stella Obasanjo Hospital on Sapele Road in Benin, the Edo State capital, has discharged 15 of the 17 Corps members deployed in the State for their mandatory one-year national service but showed signs of COVID-19 symptoms.

Another person, who was not a Corps member, was among the patients.

The 18 patients, including the 17 corps members, were brought to the government hospital for treatment on July 27.

According to report, the remaining three patients – two Corps members and the other patient – were responding to treatment and would be discharged soon.