COVID-19: FG Assures Kano Residents As PTF Steps Up Response

The Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 says the Federal Government is on top of the situation in Kano State and all efforts are geared towards stopping the spread of COVID-19 and the unfortunate deaths witnessed in the North West state

The PTF however appealed to Nigerians, diagnosed of the coronavirus, to cooperate with all relevant agencies and stay at the Isolation Centres, adding; “It is for your good and that of the general public.”

Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and PTF chairman on COVID-19, Mr Boss Mustapha, gave the assurance at their daily briefing in Abuja on Thursday.

Assuring of government’s commitment to curb the spread of COVID-19 and the mysterious deaths in Kano State, the SGF said Kano, as one of Nigeria’s historical cities, remains a backbone for the nation’s economy.

“The PTF has released a number of equipment to be transported immediately to Kano to beef up the response. These include two oxygen concentrate and three ventilators, 280 protective gowns, 538 examination gloves, 25 boot covers, medical masks, surgical caps, and infrared thermometers.

“The figure of confirmed cases of COVID-19 has continued to rise in Kano with five deaths from 139 infections as of 12:05am on April 30,” he said.

The SGF assured Kano residents that the team would do everything possible to curb the spread of the disease in the state, as directed by the President.

Mustapha said government has already established isolation and treatment centres with a holding capacity of 274 persons in Kano.

“The proposed establishment of additional facilities with a capacity of 500 persons and two sample collection centres along with six new proposed centres will provide a strong foundation for tackling the spread of the virus in the state,” he added.

The PTF Chairman, who admitted that fences at the isolation centres in the country may not prevent people from escaping, if they were determined to do so, however appealed for cooperation by all stakeholders in fighting the virus nationwide.

He also revealed that the Nigerian Military, under its COVID-19 response plan, would establish an additional isolation centre, a treatment facility, and a testing laboratory in Kano.

“The PTF on COVID-19, in the immediate, will further strengthen Kano State to scale up its response. This is with the provision of necessary facilities and equipment, capacity building, improving stakeholder interface and guidance on existing policies against the pandemic in the state.

“Already, the testing laboratories in the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital and the Bayero University, Kano have become fully functional,” the SGF stated.

He said the PTF is confident the lockdown directed by President Muhammadu Buhari would be effective in slowing down the spread as they continue to test, detect, isolate, trace contacts and manage COVID-19 cases.

The SGF assured that ongoing investigations into the causes of recent high number of deaths in Kano would be pursued to a logical conclusion. – With NAN reports