Benue to conduct autopsy on corpse of suspected COVID-19 case

The Benue State Government through the State Action Committee on COVID-19, has said it has concluded arrangements to conduct a post-mortem on the remains of an unnamed man who was suspected to have died of COVID-19 disease.

There is currently serious apprehension in Okpoga community in the Okpokwu Local Government Area of the state when the man, who recently returned from Ghana, fell sick and died while on the way to Abuja for treatment.

According to reports, the victim allegedly began to exhibit symptoms of coronavirus and was taken to the General Hospital, Okpoga, where the resident doctor referred him to the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi.

Instead of going to teaching hospital, he was said to have gone to St. Mary Hospital, Okpoga. He later died while he was being conveyed to Abuja.

Speaking on the development, the state Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, who is also a member of the committee, Mrs. Nnguna Adigin, said: “What I heard is that a case of COVID-19 was discovered in Okpoga, Benue State today (Sunday).

“We cannot certify that he died of COVID-19 since he was not tested. But the committee has decided that we can do a post-mortem examination.”