A medical doctor has tested positive for COVID-19 in Bayelsa State, bringing the number of active cases in the state to two, Governor Douye Diri has announced.

Diri confirmed the case on Tuesday at the Government House, Yenagoa, during a meeting of the COVID-19 taskforce, which he serves as Chairman.

A release by Diri’s Acting Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Alabrah, quoted the governor as saying that the doctor, a staff member of the Federal Medical Centre in Yenagoa, was earlier admitted at a private hospital before he tested positive for the virus.

According to the governor, his travel history shows that he came into the state from a trip to Delta State.

“The hospital has been shut down for decontamination to commence,” he explained.

The governor, however, noted that the five positive COVID-19 patients in the state were successfully treated and discharged.

He cautioned frontline medical personnel handling active cases to adhere strictly to laid down protocols.

Diri also directed that the presidential directives of inter-state lockdown be adopted for another two weeks as well as the dusk-to-dawn curfew of 8pm to 6am.

He extended the stay-at-home order for civil servants on grade levels 01 to 12 by another two weeks.

“On the issue of worship centres maintaining the social distancing order, I permit Muslims in the state to hold the forthcoming Eid-el Kabir prayers but they need to observe all the rules and regulations on COVID-19,” he said.

NAN