Details And Identity Of Kano’s First Coronavirus Infection Case Emerges

The Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje has made public, more information about the identity of the state’s index coronavirus case.

The Governor disclosed that the infected person is a 75-year-old retired civil servant and former Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

As previously reported by Naija News, Kano State on Saturday, reported its first confirmed case of the coronavirus (COVID-19) infection.

Giving further updates on the development, Governor Ganduje disclosed that 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.

“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,” Ganduje stated.

The Governor further added that, “today, it is confirmed that we have a case of COVID-19 in Kano.

“The former Ambassador has no history of travelling abroad in recent times, but medical reports confirmed that he has health complications.”

The patient has already been taken to Kurna Dawakin Kudu Isolation Centre where he is receiving adequate attention.

Speaking further on measures put in place by the government to contain and manage the disease, the Governor, who spoke at the Government House, ordered that tricycles in the state will henceforth be allowed to carry only one passenger as part of measures to prevent the escalation and further spread of the virus.

In his words, “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.

Ganduje confirmed the state has adequate facilities to manage the situation and efforts have been activated to trace all those that might have had contact with the index case.

“There in kurna Dawakin Kudu, we have 70 beds, ventilators and other facilities. What we are doing now is to trace those he has contacts with.

“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.”

He also confirmed that a Private Hospital where the former Ambassador had gone for normal treatment before he was found to be COVID-19 positive has been shut down and all contacts traced.

He urged members of the public to adhere strictly to directives as given by the health experts to contain further spread of the coronavirus infection.

“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.