(Minna)
The Governor of Niger state, Alhaji Abubarkar Sani Bello, has put to rest speculations on the contradictory reports about the exact number of Corona Virus index cases in the state, saying the state had ten cases.
Duaglobalnews reports that there has been conflicting reports on the actual number of persons infectted put at between seven and eight.
But the Governor in an update on the issue on Tuesday in Minna, said Niger state recorded ten active cases adding that two out of the number had tested negative and therefore discharged.
“We received 252 signals of suspected Covid-19 cases, investigated a total of 235 and collected over 202 samples for testing while a total of 10 returned positive and out of the number, 2 have recovered and have subsequently discharged”.
After establishing the ten cases, as a proactive government, we put in place preventive measures in curtailing any possible outbreak or further spread of the disease.
“After the first index case, the state continued to review its strategies on how best to deal with the spread of this pandemic.
Bello said the state currently had 7 cases undergoing treatment in its isolation centre in Minna.
“The strategies to check the spread is working and we will continue to review them methodologically to meet the current realities,”he assured the people of the state.
The governor said 125 persons were confirmed negative as we 67 results being awaited, adding that 95 people were still in quarantine facilities across the state.
According to him, those who have completed their 14 days mandatory quarantine period are 156 and are allowed to go back to their various homes.
The online publication gathered that Niger state is at an advanced stage of establishing a molecular laboratory at General Hospital Minna.
When completed, it will increase the testing capacity and and reduce the turn-around time for the release of results.
The state has also strengthened its surveillance system to detect new cases, including investigation and monitoring of any outbreak, coupled with the Public Health Emergency Operation Centre which is on active mode with enhanced surveillance in place.
Despite all the measures put in place to curtail the community transmission of the disease in the state, Bello noted that the state was still faced with challenges.
He identified the challenges as breaching the COVID-19 order of social distancing at public places, wearing face mask, a development he described as becomimg of great concern.
While the state government has made efforts at stemming the spread of Coronavirus in the state, Governor Bello expressed also sadness at the level commercial motorcyclists, (Keke NAPEP) and commercial drivers were flaunting restriction of movements order.
“It is also regrettable that closure of interstate borders has not been very effective.
“I advise, in strong terms, that the general public should be more vigilant by adhering strictly to personal hygiene, observe social distancing, wearing of face mask and as well seek medical attention in the event of symptoms such as fever, cough and catarrh”.
He therefore called on individuals with travel history from states with cases of coronavirus to ensure they self-isolate and promptly report to the nearest health facility where they will be appropriately checked.
“Government is taking more drastic measures in view of the circumstances it finds itself.
“All measures earlier put in place in the last two weeks shall remain and in addition, all commercial motorcycle operations (Okada) have been banned for the next two weeks”.
Also stringent measures will be enforced for inter-state travels, even on free days just as night travel is also henceforth banned in the state between 7p.m to 6a.m on a daily basis for the next two weeks, the Governor said.
Meanwhile, Bello said the state received a total of 41 Almajiris, adding that 22 out of the number had been reunited with their families pointing out that the state was also making arrangements to repatriate others who were not from Niger state to their various states of origin.
