The Director General of the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, has countered the claim of  Akwa Ibom State Government denying the existence of five cases of COVID-19 in the state.

Five cases were reported in Akwa Ibom in one day but the state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr Dominic Ukpong, said that the five reported positive cases have been contacted but have shown no symptoms of COVID-19, adding that the testing that produced the said result did not follow due process.

According to him, the Director General of Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) was not aware of the reported result which was announced.

He added that the testing process was breached, as the procedure for releasing the results was not duly followed, stressing that the test should be repeated.

But at the daily briefing on Thursday, NCDC boss said there was no need to doubt the veracity of the cases as the tests were done at Irua General Hospital, one of the best health facilities in the country and by very competent hands too. “I have faith in the tests,” he said.

The commissioner explained that the sample batches which were previously sent for testing by the Akwa Ibom State government came back negative.

Ukpong said that the Coronavirus cases came from the team of American doctors who recently carried out a medical outreach in Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area of the state.

He added that the contact tracing of patients and all those that came in contact with the doctors was ongoing.

“We observed a disturbing breach in the test and reporting procedure. Akwa Ibom State Government only heard about the test results in the news.

“The Director General of Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) was not aware of the reported result announcement.

“All five reported positive test cases have been contacted and they have showed no COVID-19 symptoms.

“While the tests were being processed in NCDC approved test facilities, all suspected cases were held in isolation.

“Several sample batches have been previously sent for testing from Akwa Ibom State and they all returned negative results.

“Owing to the irregularities observed in the testing and reporting procedure, Health Care Professionals in Akwa Ibom State have called for an immediate reconfirmation test on the five reported cases,” Ukpong said.

Ukpong said the five cases were currently at the Ibom Multi-Specialist hospital and not showing any symptoms of COVID-19.

The commissioner called on Akwa Ibom residents to remain calm and observe the personal and