Minna
No fewer than twenty-seven persons have been quarantined in Minna, Niger state capital, for coming in contact with suspected Corona Virus (COVID-19) infected person, according to the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Mohamned Maku-Sidi.
Duaglobalnews reports that Niger state had maintained zero index level since the disease was first reported in Wuhan China in December 2019.
The Commissioner said the committee visited the isolation centre as part of measures to ensure that the disease does not spread in the state.
Makun-Sidi, while briefing the Chairman, Niger State Taskforce on COVID 19, Alhaji Ahmed Ibrahim Matane said a 59-year-old man who had arrived from Lagos to Mashegu exhibited symptoms suspected to be that of Coronavrus, hence the quarantining of the 27 persons.
He said some people from Mashegu community had reported the case to the relevant authorities, adding however that the suspected index case ran secretly from the community to Makera market, where he boarded a truck to escape to another part of the state.
“There were 26 other passengers in the truck when it was finally tracked by the taskforce. All the passengers and the man have been quarantined in Minna isolation centre for close monitoring”, the commissioner explained.
He further explained that, “The blood samples of the 27 persons have been taken to Abuja and results are expected next week. While their result is being awaited, they will remain in at the isolation facility.”
Also speaking on the development,the Chairman of the taskforce and Secretary to the State Government, Ahmed Ibrahim Matane, said that the state government had stepped up surveillance across all entry and exit points in the state.
This he said was particularly so along boarder communities with neighbouring states.
Matane, who expressed sadness with the level of compliance with restriction order by the state government.
He added that though there was no reported case of Coronavrus yet in Niger state, it was important for Nigerlites to heed the advice to remain indoors.
As part of measures to compel people to comply with the restriction of movements and other precautionary measures against Covid-19, Matane said the police had been mandated to henceforth arrest and prosecute defaulters.
