The Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State, Dr Emmanuel Akabe, has disclosed that 15 persons have died from COVID-19 since the outbreak of the virus.

He said in Lafia after a security meeting that, ” As at Tuesday December 22, the state has discharged 668 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 26 under home care and 3 in isolation.

“85% of the cases are found in Karu, Keffi and Lafia local government areas, while the rest are found in the remaining 10 councils of the state.” He said.

The Deputy Governor disclosed that Dr Rebecca Isaac Umaru, Former Provost of College of Education Akwanga died of the virus on Monday, December 21.

He also said Dr Janet Angbazo, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism was tested positive of the virus and she is currently on isolation.

According to him, a member of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) serving in Lafia was tested positive.

He said, the second wave of the pandemic is worrisome, because the virus has become more violent than the previous one.

Dr Akabe said that from statistics available to the government, even younger people are now vulnerable to the virus as it was more aggressive than before.

He therefore urged the public to always wear their face masks, maintain social distancing, and wash hands regularly to curtail the spread of the virus.