No COVID-19 outbreak in Orientation Camps – NYSC, as Niger Govt confirms 18 corpers positive

National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has said there is no COVID-19 positive Corps member in any of its Orientation Camps nationwide.

This is coming as the Niger State Government, Wednesday, confirmed the isolation of 18 corps members from its Orientation camp who had tested positive for the virus.

A statement signed by the NYSC Director, Press and Public Relations, Mrs Adenike Adeyemi in Abuja, Wednesday, explained that all prospective corps member must undergo COVID-19 test before being admitted into any of the camps nationwide.

“Only those that tested negative are admitted, the same rule applies to camp officials. Those that test positive are handed over to the NCDC for treatment and management.

The statement reads: ”Attention of the NYSC Management have been drawn to a story with the caption ‘ NYSC CAMPS ON RED ALERT AS 109 TEST POSITIVE FOR COVID-19’ making the rounds in both the mainstream and news media.

”Management wishes to state that the caption and body of the story are very misleading.

”It is pertinent to state that there is a gulf of difference between a corps member and a prospective corps member.

”One becomes a corps member after admittance to the camp, he/she registers and is administered the Oath of National Allegiance.

”Anyone, who is mobilised for service, but has not gone through the aforesaid process is not yet a corps member.

”Consequently, our partners-in-progress and members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm should kindly take note of this explanation for proper guidance in reportage.”

The NYSC assured Nigerians that all corps members, as well as camp officials admitted into the camps are all COVID-19 negative.

Meanwhile, the Niger State Government, Wednesday, confirmed that 18 NYSC Members tested positive for COVID-19.

The Commissioner for information and strategy, in the State, Mohammed Sani Idris mentioned this during a briefing in Minna, the state capital.

He said the corps members were dictated during the normal routine check up by health officials at the NYSC orientation camp in the State.

“The victims have so far been taken to an isolated center in the state for proper medication.”

He, however said, the state has resuscitated the COVID-19 taskforce as an immediate action to curtail the spread of the disease across the state.

He equally enjoined stakeholders across the state to abide by the measures put in place by the government for the spread of the disease.