Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State has announced the death of a patient suspected to have contracted COVID-19 in the state.

In a statement issued on Thursday by his Chief Press Secretary, Olisa Ifeajika, the governor disclosed that the case, which was the second, after the first confirmed on Tuesday, was awaiting the outcome of the test conducted on it when the patient passed away.

He stated that the deceased had underlying health issues and had visited Lagos in the past two weeks, adding that the patient, with severe symptoms, presented himself late to the hospital.

According to Okowa, the symptoms on the patient included difficulty in breathing, which prompted immediate and necessary attention to him by medical professionals.

“Shortly after the specimen was taken, he passed away. However, his test results came back positive today (Thursday).

“In order to mitigate against the spread of the virus, we are fast-tracking our contact-tracing to ensure that all those that came in contact with the deceased patient are properly isolated and tested immediately,” Okowa said.

The governor also asked health workers “to protect citizens and residents of our state, families and friends of individuals that are exhibiting the primary symptoms of COVID-19, do not keep it from the authorities.”

He also reiterated that his administration will be transparent to the people of the state by keeping informed of new developments on the pandemic.