Fourteen almajìris (vagrant students) who were recently repatriated from Kano have tested positive for coronavirus, the Kaduna State Standing Committee on Covid-19 heard today.
The Commissioner of Health Dr Amina Mohammed-Baloni advised the Standing Committee that the figure may rise as more test results are awaited.
The Standing Committee was also informed that the repatriated almajiris are accommodated in one location, and have not mingled with the community, a statement from the Special Adviser to the Governor (Media & Communication), Muyiwa Adekeye said.
The committee was updated that these new positive results have increased active cases in the state to 41, and that one Covid-19 fatality has been recorded. Most of these 41 active cases are almajiris from Kano.
“Further progress on expanding testing capacity was also reported. The Standing Committee was informed that installation of a PCR machine has commenced at the Yusuf Dantsoho General Hospital.
“When accredited by the NCDC, this will increase to three the number of Covid-19 testing labs activated in Kaduna State during this pandemic.
“The Standing Committee commended the people of Kaduna State for their sacrifice and cooperation in enduring Quarantine Orders that are designed to protect citizens from Covid-19, prevent the spread of the virus from other states and avert the nightmare of community transmission.
“The inconveniences being endured by Kaduna State residents require that their sacrifices be complemented by robust enforcement of border lockdowns. This will eliminate both willful and inadvertent spread of Covid-19 by persons crossing state lines in breach of Kaduna State Quarantine Orders and the prohibition of inter-state travel by the Federal Government.
“Citizens are encouraged to report anyone who sneaks into the state so that health officials can take swift action,” the statement said.
