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* 16 Health Workers infected Says Commissioner for Health
BY Inusa Ndahi, Maiduguri
The Chairman of the high powered committee on prevention and control of COVID -19 disease in Borno state who is also the State Deputy Govenror, Alhaji Umar Usman Kadafur has that his committee is working round the clock to open a new Isolation Centre, as the two existing ones at University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) and Ngaranam in the metropolis have been filled to 50% capacity.
This is even as the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Salisu Kwayabura said 16 health workers have been infected with the virus.
The Chairman of the Response Team however said, the rate at which the virus is spreading calls for serious concern and proactive measures to tame it, adding that, the new isolation centre if completed would have the needed human resources, drugs, medical equipments and social amenities.
The Deputy Governor disclosed this on Saturday at the daily media briefing on COVID-19 at the Multi-Purpose Hall, Government House, Maiduguri.
He regretted that despite the increasing rate of spread of the deadly pandemic, substantial number of people in the state do not believe the existence of the virus, noting that, it is rather unfortunate that lot of people participated in burial ceremonies and observed congregational prayers, which is against the rules of social gathering.
His words: “The COVID-19, which has became a global pandemic is real in Borno, and there is no cure yet.
“Our committee is working round the clock to open a new Isolation Centre, as the two existing ones at University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) and Ngaranam in the metropolis have been filled to 50% capacity.
“It is highly regretful that despite the increasing rate of spread of the deadly pandemic, substantial number of people in the state do not believe the existence of the virus.
“With the increasing number of deaths, whether related or not related to COVID-19 in Jere and Maiduguri Metroolis, especially the ones of today, is rather unfortunate that alot of people participated in burial ceremonies and observed congregational prayers, which is against the rules of social gathering.
“This was how Boko Haram started, where a lot of people did not believe and was earlier treated with kid gloves, before it became deadly.
“I want to urge all and sundry to believe that the virus is real and have no cure yet” Kadafur stated.
On the viral audio message from a female suspected to be a family member of late Wakil Bukar, member representing Nganzai at the Borno State House of Assembly, denying that the Lawmaker died as a results of negligence by health officials after suffering from Asthma complications and not contracting the virus as alleged, the Deputy Governor said, “as far as the Response Team are concerned, such viral audio did not emanate from the family of the deceased, but from mischief makers”.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Health, who is the Secretary of the Response Team, Dr. Salisu Kwayabura stressed that those who might have contact with an infected person should follow the safe protocol of isolating themselves at home while contacting health officials.
He said, “as at the moment, 16 health workers have been infected with the virus in the state.”
He also advised the state residents to maintain hand washing, personal hygiene, social distancing, and avoid large gatherings to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Dr. Kwayabura further urged the residents to wear face masks when leaving their homes, and wash their hands when on return.
“Keeping safe from this pandemic is a responsibility of every citizen.
“All of us must take steps to protect ourselves and our households from COVID-19.” He stated.
Our Correspondent officially gathered that as at the time of filing in this report, Borno has a total of 69 confirmed cases with 11 casualties.