By Madu Mohammed Maiduguri
Following the confirmation by the NCDC that a nurse working with MSF in Pullka died as a result Covid 19, the Borno state High Powered Committee on the Prevention and Control of COVID-19 has said that all contacts to the deceased have been traced and necessary measures to prevent further spread of the disease has been put in place.
While briefing newsnen in his office in Maiduguri on Monday, the Borno state Deputy Governor, Alhaji Umar Kadafur who is also the chairman of the state High Powered Committee on Preventions and Control of COVID-19 said ” All contacts of the deceased are being traced and necessary measures to prevent further spread has been put in place.
To this point, 99 persons of interest have been traced and strategic testing instituted ,(35 in Pulka and 64 in Maiduguri).
“The Borno state high Powered Committee on the Prevention and Control of COVID-19, hereby announces to the general public that one case of COVID-19 was confirmed in Maiduguri on Sunday 19th April, 2020.
“He was a 56 year old citizen of Borno who was brought in from Pulka (Gwoza LGA) of severe respiratory disease”, Hon. Kadafur stated.
He said the committee has already sent epidemiological team to Pulka to assess and test the entire Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to curb the spread of the vitus.
The Deputy Governor said ”the deceased was managed at the UMTH but unfortunately, he succumbed to the disease (may his soul rest in peace). However, nasal swab specimen was collected from the body, which was tested positive for neo corona virus disease at the Covid 19 reference laboratory in the UMTH and validated by the NCDC. The remains of the body has been buried in line with standard protocols for disposal of infectious bodies”.
”May I at this juncture reiterate to the good people of Borno that Covid 19 disease is real, and no nation or people are immune. It is indeed a trail from God and He alone will avert this trail from us. However, as a people we need to demonstrate strict adherence to well documented measures and advises to reduce the spread of the disease.”
While commesurating with the family, relatives and friends of the deceased, the Deputy Governor advised people to wash their hands regularly with soap and water, avoid over crowding and report any sick person to the health workers., use hand sanitizers and practice.