(Minna)
Niger state has so far recorded four new cases of Corona Virus (COVID 19); two in Suleja, the commercial hub of the state thereby bringing the total number of infected persons in the state to 14 as at Saturday.
The eleventh case is a mechanic with Dangote cement, a resident of Rigachuku in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna state on transit to Suleja, the twelfth confirmed case is from Tofa in Kano and cart pusher living in Suleja, according report in Minna.
The report, obtained from Niger State Task Force on COVID-19 Saturday also indicated that the thirteenth case was from Bida on transit from Lagos to Kano, but involved in an accident at Bida town, Bida Local Government Area of state.
The accident victims, the Task force team explained, were rescued and admitted at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Bida where one of them started exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms and was subsequently taken into isolated.
Another confirmed case of COVID 19, according to the statement, is in New Bussa, Borgu Local Government Area of the state. A trader who is always on transit to and fro Lagos who is the 14th confirmed case in the state.
The State Case Management Team noted that it had a total of nine COVID 19 confirmed patients on admission,adding that out of the number, two had been discharged after testing negative twice.
The one,it further disclosed, absconded and yet to be retraced and brought back to the facility.
Among the two discharged cases is the first index case at Limawa in Chanchaga Local Government Area (Minna metropolis), the team said, adding that it had recorded 197 suspected cases with 183 signals under investigation.
According to the report,”The team also listed and reached out to 241 persons of interest, existed 184 POI and line listed 140 contacts and existed 111 contacts with 259 alerts.
“The team also received and investigated 256 alerts and tested 141 alerts with 14 coming up positive”.
Also, laboratory team collated and sent 198 specimen samples to the National Reference Laboratory, Gaduwa with 14 coming out positive while the Risk Communication team had carried out advocacy visit to Bida Emirate on a sensitization campaign, the statement added
Meanwhile, as part of measures to increase personnel managing the pandemic, the Committee has commenced recruitment and training of ad-hoc staff after appointment letters have been presented to those who scaled through interview.
Duaglobalnews reports that Nigeria has over 5,000 Coronavirus as at the time of this report.