Ogun Commences Second Round Of Free Covid-19 Test For Residents

ABEOKUTA - The Ogun State Government has called on residents within the length and breath of the state to take advantage of the ongoing second phase of its community-based Covid-19 Testing.

The testing, which is free of charge, would be held  across the 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the State from Monday to Friday between the hours of 8am and 3pm for the next three months.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker  revealed in a statement that sample collection would be carried out in one specified primary healthcare center (PHC) in each LGA, saying health personnel in the PHCs have been trained specifically for this purpose. 

She said once samples have been collected, the health personnel would transfer them to the designated labs within the State for testing, adding that this method will not only lead to increased testing but also help reveal the true burden of the disease in the State vis-à-vis positivity rate. 

The Commissioner, urged residents to present themselves for the exercise without nursing any form of fear or misgivings.

She said the decision to domesticate Covid-19 testing in the 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the State was founded on the national recommendation of community-based testing as a means to improving early case detection and treatment of both Symptomatic and asymptomatic cases. 

According to Coker, evidence has shown that, increased testing, including those done within communities will improve case detection, ascertain the true status of infectivity and thus help in limiting spread of the infection, particularly through unrecognized local transmission.