Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State on Thursday said he would hand over to his deputy, Barr Kelechi Igwe, should he test positive for the novel coronavirus [COVID-19] and have to go into quarantine.

The governor said he has sent his samples for the novel coronavirus test to the NCDC.

The Governor stated this in Abakaliki on Thursday during the swearing-in ceremony of some newly appointed government officials.

Speaking after the swearing-in, Umahi said he had to send in his samples after some of the government officials tested positive to the viral disease recently after the Budget Review meeting, which had most government officials in attendance.

Umahi, who, however, did not reveal the identities of those who tested positive after the Busy Review meeting, regretted that he wouldn’t have had any need for the test if his accounts officials were Information and Communication Technology [ICT]-compliant.

The Governor said the result of the tests will be out today and promised to keep the people informed of the outcome.

He said his administration had come up with new measures to tackle the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic.

According to him, another meeting to discuss the new State Government plan would be held next week, adding that he might have to attend the meeting virtually if the results of his test came out positive.

Umahi said,

“If I test positive, my Deputy Governor will carry on with the fight as a frontline worker; but we will be extremely careful and use Zoom to do our jobs. No retreat, no surrender. This COVID-19 matter, we will fight it fight to a conclusive level.

“Next week we are to have the public hearing on our proposal on the new plan of our fight against COVID -19 either me or my Deputy will chair the meeting and I will contribute through Zoom if I test positive.”