Why Coronavirus Is Spreading Like Wildfire — FG

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha explained on Wednesday that increasing cases of COVID-19 was as a re­sult of the upscale of testing in the country.
He said the situation didn’t look good at all as the virus had taken root in communi­ties.
“The PTF notes that the number of cases has risen generally. This is attributable to expansion of our testing capacity and activities as well as evidence that community spread is taking place.
“Considering the dynamic nature of the response plan, the strategy for testing has been modified and door-to-door testing is now taking place in some communities in Lagos and Abuja.
“Testing, detection, iso­lation, care and case man­agement remain central to our success in this fight,” the PTF chairman stated at the daily briefing session in Abuja.
He said the situation in Kano continued to pose seri­ous concern to stakeholders, and disclosed that the PTF was working in close contact with the state government to arrest the situation.
“Let me remind us all that this pandemic is real and it is spreading like wildfire. We must all arise to fight this potent and invisible common enemy by adhering to the guidelines and proto­cols for COVID-19, which includes personal hygiene, social distancing, wearing of masks in public places, obeying the stay-at-home or­der, and reporting unusual illness to the authorities for investigation,” he stressed.
Regarding the Ramadan fasting billed to commence at the weekend, Mustapha said it was anticipated that by Friday, the Ramadan shall commence.
“But I must use this medi­um to thank His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto and President General of the Ni­gerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, for endors­ing the recommendations of the Emergency Fatwah Committee by issuing a statement guiding the con­duct of the Ummah during the Ramadan,” he said.
He said the Sultan had directed the Ummah on the suspension of obligatory religious activities such as Jumaat, congregational and other sessions during the month of Ramadan to pre­vent the spread of COVID 19.
He added: “Similarly, all scholars and organisations are encouraged to use all other means of communi­cation and broadcast to dis­seminate information and conduct programmes.
“Our prayer is that the Almighty shall accept our collective supplication and show mercy.
“I similarly commend the application of these di­rectives in the states and im­plore all state governors to, please, consider these direc­tives before taking further decisions.”
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the release of Feb­ruary and March salaries of members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
Recall that their salaries were withheld on the orders of the Federal Government over their alleged recalci­trance to enrol in the Inte­grated Personnel Payroll and Information System (IPPIS).
Both the government and ASUU had been engaged in a supremacy battle over the new payment policy, a devel­opment that prompted in­dustrial action by the union prior to the outbreak of the coronavirus in the country.
“I am pleased to inform you that, as a show of mag­nanimity and concern for all categories of employees, Mr. President has approved the immediate payment of the withheld February and March 2020 salaries of lec­turers not registered on the IPPIS platform.
“This payment is to cush­ion the deleterious effects of the COVID-19 period on the lecturers and members of their families.
“However, all vice chan­cellors are to revalidate the BVN of the affected lectur­ers before the Accountant General of the Federation can carry out the payments.
“The PTF remains com­mitted to leading the fight against COVID-19 and crave your support, understand­ing, and cooperation.
“Your constructive ideas for improvement will always be most welcome,” the SGF stated.
Governor El-Rufai Recovers From Coronavirus
Meanwhile, Kaduna State governor, Nasiru El-Rufai, has recovered from corona­virus after four weeks of isolation and treatment.
In his tweeter handle, the governor announced on Wednesday that after near­ly four weeks of observing a strict medical regime, he had received the all-clear af­ter two consecutive negative test results.
He thanked Almighty Al­lah for His grace and mercy on him, and acknowledged the massive outpouring of sympathy, prayers and pub­lic support that followed the disclosure of his infection.
The governor said that his family did not only go through the trauma of po­tentially losing a member but also the risk of being infected as well.
“The entire family has been supportive as usual, while my many friends and colleagues from all over the world have sent their prayers and best wishes”.
He said it was cheering to see the determined ef­forts of the State COVID-19 Task Force, chaired by his deputy, officials of Ministry of Health and enforcement agencies to manage and con­tain the spread of COVID-19 in the state.
“I wish to acknowledge our Deputy Governor, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe, for her re­assuring leadership of our team in my absence.
“Our senior officials have demonstrated admirable commitment & the flexibili­ty to provide governance in circumstances that are so different from the old nor­mal.”
He added that the com­mitment, competence and capabilities displayed by those steering the affairs of the state in his four weeks of absence, was a clear ev­idence that the state has a public service to be proud of.
Kaduna Discharges 5th Patient, Confirms Three New Cases
Again, the Kaduna State Ministry of Health said on Wednesday that it had dis­charged one more patient out of the six persons who tested positive for the coro­navirus in the state.
The state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr. Amina Ma­hammed Baloni, who gave the confirmation, said the latest discharge had taken the number of cleared cases to five since April 14.
Baloni, however, con­firmed three new cases of coronavirus infection in the state, bringing the latest total number of pending cases in Kaduna state to four.
According to her, among the three new cases, is a 23-year-old male “who came into the state from Istan­bul via Dubai sometime in March.”
She added that the second patient “is a 51-year-old male who was tested in Samaru, Sabon-Gari Local Govern­ment Area, after coming in from Kano.’’
Baloni said that the third patient had earlier travelled to Kano and he is a 42-year-old male from Unguwan Geza, Kaduna.
“These new cases reflect the danger that inter-state travels pose to efforts to con­tain COVID-19.
“Such travels spread the virus from place to place, complicate contact-tracing, and risk implanting the vi­rus in communities,” she said.
The commissioner insist­ed that the lockdown, which compelled “people to stay at home is based on the logic that during a pandemic, the less contact with others, the safer everyone is.”
She, therefore, advised residents “to avoid in­ter-state travels and to promptly report to the au­thorities any person who has recently travelled from an affected state and develops symptoms of cough, fever, or sore throat.
“Such reports can be made to the COVID-19 Call Centre in Kaduna State, on the following numbers: 08051217710, 09058008251, 08118588175, 08118588176, and 09032102632.”
She also urged the public not to disregard “the im­portance of hand-washing, personal hygiene, social distancing, and the avoid­ance of large gatherings in helping to protect us all from COVID-19.
“It is important to stay home, stay safe and save lives.”
Adamawa Records First Case Of COVID-19
But Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State has confirmed the first COVID-19 positive case in the state.
Fintiri announced this in a state broadcast on Wednes­day in Yola.
He said the case was a returnee from Kano State who arrived in Adamawa a week ago.
Fintiri said, on arrival in the state, the index case fell sick and went to the Special­ists Hospital, Yola, where he tested positive for the virus.
“On April 20, 2020, the state COVID-19 containment committee identified three suspected cases and one was confirmed positive.
“Adamawa State is now formally in COVID- 19 map,” Fintiri said.
He said appropriate mech­anisms had been put in place to trace the case contacts for possible quarantine.
Fintiri advised the citi­zens of the state to prepare for possible total lockdown to curtail spread of the virus.
Delta Records Two More Cases
Delta State on Wednes­day recorded two cases of COVID-19 at Otu-Jeremi General Hospital and Warri Central Hospital of the state.
The 5th case was record­ed at the Otu-Jeremi Gen­eral Hospital, Otu-Jeremi, Ughelli South Local Gov­ernment Area of Delta State.
In a statement by Mr. Noah Edeamrigho, Chief Press Secretary to Ughelli South Council Chairman, he said the case was made known to them when on Wednesday April 22, the council’s COVID-19 Mon­itoring, Evaluation and Enforcement Team, led by Hon. Dr. Rihard Kofi (JP), Chairman of the council in company of the Secretary, PHCDA, DSNO, LIO, RRT members, DPO and LGSC Otu-Jeremi, paid a working visit to the General Hospital, Otu-Jeremi.
According to him, the vis­it was sequel to the report of a patient, who had tested pos­itive to COVID-19 and admit­ted at the General Hospital, Otu-Jeremi.
“The council’s index case, a female identified as Omamuzo Ijala, 36 years old, resides at Bendel Estate along Ugborikoko, Airport Road, Effurun.
“She had come to visit her fiancé at Utuama Layout in Udu Local Government Area, when she fell ill but later presented herself at the Otu-Jeremi General Hospi­tal on the 16th of April, 2020 about 5p.m with complaint of coughing, fever and an­orexia.
“Further examination re­vealed a provisional diagno­sis of PTb., Pneumonia, R/o COVID 19, thus she was re­ferred for chest X-ray & spu­tum AFB. On presentation the next day, the medical of­ficer with high index of sus­picion referred her to Warri Central Hospital for further COVID-19 evaluation, which was confirmed positive.
“The five health workers (all youth corps members) who had primary contacts with the patient included Dr. Ogonna Y, Dr. Ossai Obi­anuju, Dr. Olagunde Tunde, Okwubodu Dan U.I., Pharm. Uwigbe Jerry, Uwigbe Esosa, sister of the pharmacist.”
The visiting team, accord­ing to the statement, met with the primary contacts and instructed them on the need to regularly monitor their body temperature twice daily and commu­nicate accordingly to the DSNO as well as the need to remain in isolation for 14 days and they were then giv­en personal thermometer & other relevant kits.
“The team assured and explained to them on the need to comply with the iso­lation period.”
Thereafter, the team went back to the General Hospital, Otu-Jeremi and presented PPEs to the management.
The patient and the pri­mary contacts, are in good frame of mind. Meanwhile, the council boss has direct­ed the environment depart­ment of the local govern­ment to access the hospital with the aim of decontami­nating the facility as it were.
The 6th case, according to reliable sources, is that of a male who hails from one of the communities in Udu Lo­cal Government Area of the state and was among the 79 suspected cases of corona­virus whose samples were taken days ago.
Ekiti Records First COVID-19 Death
Ekiti on Wednesday re­corded its first COVID-19 death.
The state’s Commissioner for Health and Human Ser­vices, Dr. Mojisola Yaya-Ko­lade, confirmed the develop­ment at a press conference in Ado Ekiti.
She said the victim, the third positive case in the state, died after all efforts to save her life were unsuc­cessful.
According to her, the 29-year-old woman died at the Intensive Care Unit of the Federal Teaching Hospi­tal, Ido Ekiti, where she had been receiving medical care after she was delivered of her baby some days ago.
“The woman showed signs of stability on Mon­day, but unfortunately, her condition deteriorated on Tuesday, and we lost her exactly 6.58a.m today, Wednesday,” she said.
The commissioner ex­pressed regrets that the de­ceased had infected a 45-year-old medical doctor in the state in the process of her being delivered of her baby.
She said the medical doctor was identified as the fourth case in the state by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
When asked if the re­mains of the late COVID-19 patient would be released to her family, the commis­sioner said the state was still studying the situation and would comply with the World Health Organisation’s safety rules on burial of such victims.
“We are going to liaise with the family on her buri­al. We are going to consider safety despite that there was assumption that the virus is not active in corpses because we don’t know much about the virus,” she said.
Yaya-Kolade said the hos­pital where the patient died had been sanitised by gov­ernment since the woman was hospitalised.
She, however, advised members of the public not to stigmatise the hospital be­cause of the incident.
The commissioner gave an assurance that the state would not be discouraged by the incident, but would continue with its surveil­lance and sensitisation on the pandemic.
She said a total of 78 per­sons who had contacts with the deceased and the medi­cal doctor had all been traced and placed in isolation.
Anambra Discharges Index Case
The first case of COVID-19 in Anambra has tested neg­ative twice to the virus and has been certified fit to go home, Gov. Willie Obiano has declared.
Obiano made the declara­tion on Wednesday in Awka while giving an update on the fight against the pan­demic in the state.
“In my last address, I informed you that the first post-treatment test of the COVID-19 index case in Anambra State had returned negative.
“Today, I am delighted to tell you that the second test on our index case has also returned negative, follow­ing the NCDC protocol on COVID-19.
“Therefore, I have asked the Commissioner for Health to discharge him from our Protective Care Centre.
“We have also made some arrangements to decontami­nate his home to ensure that there is no further incident,” he said.
On contact tracing, Obia­no said that the samples of the remaining 36 people that had direct contact with the index case had been submit­ted for testing.
He said that in its bid to re-strengthen strate­gies against the spread of COVID-19, government had made the use of face masks by residents compulsory.
Borno Records Second COVID-19 Death
The Borno government on Wednesday announced a second death from corona­virus (COVID-19) outbreak.
The Deputy Governor, Alhaji Umar Kadafur, who is also the chairman of the State High Powered Commit­tee on COVID-19, made this known on Wednesday while giving an update on the pan­demic in the state.
“The deceased is from Biu town and already his contacts have been traced.
“One of his contacts is a trader in Biu market. Fol­lowing this development, the state government has or­dered the closure of market for immediate fumigation.
“As of today, 144 contacts had been traced, 55 were tested and nine people test­ed positive including the two who died,” he said.
He urged the public to maintain hygiene and other precautionary measures ad­vised by experts.
The first case was a re­tired anaesthetic nurse, who died at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospi­tal on Saturday.