Malik Yahya/
Kano State Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, has disclosed that the state’s COVID-19 index case is a 75-year-old retired civil servant and former Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
According to him, the state government took the blood samples of 10 suspected cases to Abuja three days ago in which nine came out negative, while that of the former ambassador was positive.
The governor, who spoke at the Government House, said investigation showed that the former ambassador attended a marriage ceremony and also attended Mosque last Friday, adding that those who had contacts with him were already been traced.
Ganduje further disclosed that a private hospital where the patient had gone for treatment before he was found to be COVID-19 positive has been shut down, just as the doctors and nurses who attended to him have been identified.
He described the development as sad, pointing out that the state will take more drastic measures to ensure that the situation does not escalate.
Ganduje said that tricycles in the state will henceforth be mandated to carry only one passenger as part of measures to prevent further spread of the virus.
The governor stated “Indeed, it is a sad moment for us. This is an occasion that we are not happy with. I am unhappy to inform the people of Kano State that today (Saturday), we got a patient who tested positive for COVID-19.
“He is a 75-year-old retiree and former Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“He travelled to Kaduna, Lagos and Abuja, and came back to Kano on 25 March, 2020.
“The former Ambassador has no history of travelling abroad in recent times, but medical reports confirmed that he has health complications.
“We learnt that he attended a marriage ceremony, we are trying to get those who he had contacts with at the marriage ceremony. We also learnt that he attended Mosque last Friday, we are also tracing those who had contacts with him.
“Also, a Private Hospital where he had gone for normal treatment before he was found to be COVID-19 positive has been shut down, while the doctors and nurses who attended to him have been traced.”
The governor said the samples of all the family members of the former envoy have been taken for test, adding that all the samples taken have been deposited at the COVID-19 test laboratory at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH).
He said the COVID-19 patient has also been taken to Kurna Dawakin Kudu Isolation Centre where he is receiving adequate attention.
Ganduje urged members of the public to adhere strictly to directives as given by the Federal Ministry of Health, State Ministry of Health, WHO and other health experts, pointing out the importance of observing social distancing.
He also advised religious leaders to ensure maintenance of social distancing in places of worship so as to save lives.
The governor appealed to Kano residents to obey the stay-at-home order, adding that, “members of the public should know that business is no longer as usual.”
“Social distancing in places of worship should be strictly observed. We must take drastic actions.
“In the markets, business will no longer be as usual. We will hold a meeting and find out those markets that must operate. We must remain in our homes so as to save lives.
“People should bear with us. We know that the measures we are taking are hard, but the public should bear with us.
“We have made adequate arrangements for protective items for our doctors, nurses and other health workers.
“We are also working out some remunerations for our frontline doctors and nurses,” he stated.
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