Benue’s Controversial COVID-19 Index Case Leaves Isolation Centre, Still ‘Positive’ After Over 50 Days

The drama surrounding the Benue Coronavirus index case has been laid to rest after the patient, Susan Okpe, was released from the National Hospital on Wednesday.

Okpe, who had spent over 50 days in isolation, was first confirmed positive for Coronavirus by officials of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) in Benue upon her return from the United Kingdom.

In a video she made after her release on Wednesday night, Okpe revealed that the last test given to her showed that she is still positive for Coronavirus.

According to her, the health officials asked her to go, having met the requirement of the World Health Organisation (WHO).

She said, “Hello family and friends as you can see I’m on my way out of the hospital. I have just been given the test that I am still positive but I can go that I have met the WHO requirement.

“I just did this live video to say I am walking out of my detention and forceful incarceration.

“That is what is happening right now.  Thank you all for your support.

“For security reason, I won’t give details of where I am going right now, but I am out of here. So thank you all my fans and supporters I am packing my bags and baggages to be on the safe side.”

Recall that she had on May 12, refused to be tested a third time to confirm her status, and instead requested that her test sample be taken by the WHO and sent to a testing laboratory in the UK.

She had before then accepted to be tested for the third time, in order to be certified negative and allowed to go.

She also gave a condition that she would only accept to be tested for the third time if her previous test results were shown and given to her.

Also, she had consistently disputed initial claims by NCDC that she was positive for the virus.