A group of online newspaper publishers under the aegis of South West Group of Online Publishers (SWEGOP) has called on the South West State governments to, as a matter of urgency, conduct random COVID-19 tests among residents in different parts of major cities in the zone.
This, according to the group, will help the governments know the actual state of COVID-19 spread in the zone. SWEGOP added it will give a clearer picture instead of the selective testing of the high and mighty which is presently obtainable.
The media group also believes this move will help the state governments to ascertain the true figure of those who might have been affected and also allow it prepare for the challenges ahead in the fight against the deadly Coronavirus.
In a statement signed by the group’s chairman, Mr Olayinka Agboola and PRO, Remi Oladoye, SWEGOP noted that the pandemic coronavirus may have caused damages more than what is known.
The group added that the only way to ascertain the level of the spread is to get the most vulnerable people in the state tested for the disease, especially in Ibadan the most populated city in the region.
“It has come to our notice that what is presently going as far as Coronavirus test is concerned is a selective testing of political leaders. We are therefore calling on the state governments in the South West of Nigeria to intensify efforts in making the test available in some key areas across major towns, in order to penetrate the grassroots and the people there who generally do not have any way of being tested”. The statement read in part.
While commending the governments for the precautionary measures being put in place so far, the group also praised health workers for their commitment and sacrifices.
“With the new cases of Coronavirus victims in the states except Ondo, it is obvious that we have a serious issue on our table and the only way to battle it is to be more proactive and for all hands to be on deck.” SWEGOP said.
The group, therefore, used the opportunity to call on the general public to also support government and health workers in this trying time.
Packaged by Oludotun Ajibola
