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(Minna)
Niger state now has 8 index case of the dreaded Coronavirus (COVID 19), just as the first case at Limawa area of Minna metropolis has now tested negative, the Commissioner for Health and Hospital Services, Dr. Muhammad Makusidi has said.
The new cases, according to Makusidi, are returnee couples from Kano state; heading to Shiroro Local Government Area of the state before they were intercepted on Wednesday.
He said they subsequently taken to the quarantine facility, where their health status were confirmed.
The commissioner, who expressed regret over the attitude of the victims during interaction with the Covid 19 taskforce in the state, said the state government was determined to safeguard lives of the people of the state.
Toward this end, he expressed the the resolve of the governent to ensure that the lockdown and safety rules were strictly adhered to.
He said, “We now have a total of 8 COVID 19 cases in Niger state at the moment. The first index case from Limawa, within Minna metropolis has now tested negative.”
Meanwhile, the Secretary to Niger State Government (SSG) and the Chairman, Taskforce on COVID 19 in Niger state, Alhaji Ibrahim Matane and his team have embarked on enlightenment visit to many areas of the state as the number of cases kept increasing in the area.
The enlightenment visit, our correspondent learnt, may not be unconnected with the protest and subsequent disappearance of some persons from the quarantine facility on Wednesday.
The visit had also been linked with the fears the escape of such persons portends danger for unsuspecting members of the public in the state.
Meanwhile, many people said they were not happy with the sudden rise in the number of infected persons, blaming the developments on the porous nature of state boarders with neighbouring states.
They also raised concern over what they termed the failure of the state government to ensure that all the entry and exit points were well cordoned off.
Mallam Zubairu Imam, one of the residents, expressed fears that the Governor Abubarkar Sani Bello-led administration might be losing the battle to stem further infiltration of Coronavirus patients into the state.
He called on the state government to be decisive in controlling movement of persons into the state.
Zubairu said, “It is like the Governor is losing this COVID 19 thing. He has consistent refused or never deemed it fit to enforce boarder closure.
“Virtually all the virus carriers infiltrated into Niger state from other states and the citizens are being exposed to risk”.
