PRESS RELEASE
Plateau State Government is investigating the circumstances surrounding the leak of the confidential laboratory result of some suspected COVID-19 cases carried out at the National Veterinary Research Institute Testing Centre in Vom which has been circulating on social media.
The Government expresses immense disappointment with this unprofessional act which has not only breached ethical medical standards but also exposed the suspected cases to negative consequences including stigmatization and discrimination. The government totally condemns this act which regrettably has the tendency of jeopardizing its efforts at fighting the Coronavirus pandemic that is ravaging the world.
In order not to allow that to happen, the Government has since commenced comprehensive investigations into the matter with a view to unraveling those responsible and applying the necessary punishment. Accordingly, the investigation will cover the entire process of the test from sample collection, investigation, and result dissemination.
The Government assures members of the public not to be deterred by this isolated incident as all measures have been taken to ensure that it doesn’t happen again.Members of the public are advised to continue to abide by all the regulations of social distancing, hygiene, and sanitation and also report any suspected case.
Dan Manjang
Commissioner for Information and Communications,
Plateau State 25th April 2020.
