Pandemonium in Taraba as Covid-19 Taskforce Released 7 Positive Cases from Isolation Centre in Error
BY AMEH IDUJAGI, JALINGO – Fear and confusion have enveloped Taraba State following the release of seven positive cases from the quarantine centre by the State COVID-19 Taskforce.
The committee had on Sunday, May 3, 2020, discharged 124 people that were kept in an isolation centre at the State NYSC camp.
Chairman of the Taraba State Taskforce, who is also the Commissioner for Health, Dr Innocent Vakkai, announced at a press briefing in Jalingo on Wednesday that the results of seven out of the 124 released last Sunday from the quarantine centre are positive.
Vakkai said the seven cases were released after the result of the first test conducted on them showed negative, adding that it was unfortunate that the results of the second test later released by the NCDC on Tuesday showed that seven out of the 124 cases earlier discharged from the quarantine centre are positive.
According to the commissioner; “The seven new cases are from two local government areas and the local council chairmen whom they were released to pending the arrival of their second test results have been contacted.
“We are currently making efforts to get them back to the isolation centre. However, if they have mingled with people in their community, contact tracing would immediately commence to ensure we don’t have community spread.
“We are however appealing to members of the public to remain calm because up till now we have not recorded any community transmission which we are grateful for.” he said.
While anxiety and palpable fear have taken over members of the public in the state over the development, some members of the Covid-19 are pointing accusing fingers at the Chairman of the Taskforce, Dr Innocent Vakkai, accusing him of unilateral decision and high handedness in addition to running the affairs of the committee as his personal business.
