The Kano State Government has confirmed that some 47 medical workers tested positive to the coronavirus (COVID-19) disease in the state.
Dr. Tijjani Husaain, the Coordinator, Kano State Taskforce on COVID-19, made the disclosure at a news conference of the Taskforce on COVID-19, on Sunday, May 10, 2020 in Kano.
Hussain said that the health workers were confirmed to have been infected with the virus in the past weeks, noting that no new case of the virus infection were recorded among health personnel in the past few days.
He said that the feat was achieved sequel to the state’s government prompt actions to protect health workers and guard against future occurrence.
Hussain noted that the state had recorded 576 confirmed cases of the disease, with 29 new cases and 32 discharged.
“Out of the total number of confirmed cases in Kano State, we recorded 21 deaths.
“On Saturday, we also recorded 84 new suspected cases of the COVID-19, bringing the total number of the suspected cases to 1,820 in the state,” he said.
He revealed that the taskforce on Saturday received 47 emergency calls which are investigated, adding that they have so far received 1,313 calls.
“Between Saturday and Sunday, 29 of the 84 samples collected were confirmed positive to the virus.
“So far we have collected 2,072 samples in the state.”
Hussain added that, as part of the state government efforts to stem the pandemic, over 1,000 frontline health workers were undergoing special training in the state.
He urged the people to adhere to the safety protocols, social distancing, use of face mask and the lockdown order.
In a related development, the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan in Oyo State, has recorded a new COVID-19 case within its surgical services unit.
The hospital’s Chief Medical Director (CMD), Prof. Jesse Otegbayo, disclosed this via his official Twitter handle @UchCmd.
“One case of COVID-19 has been confirmed among the staff of the hospital’s surgical services.
“The member of staff in question is in good health and is receiving necessary support, while the routine contact tracing and relevant infection control protocols have been instituted.
“Consequently, as at 4 pm. Friday, 8th May 2020, we had one new confirmed case of COVID-19,” he wrote.
According to him, the new case brings the total number of patients treated for COVID-19 in the hospital to 11.
“The total number of COVID-19 patients that the hospital has attended to is now 11.
“Out of these, six patients were managed as in-patients in the isolation ward and other locations in the hospital, two of whom were discharged after testing negative.
“One patient was, however, transferred to Lagos for further treatment. Regrettably, two deaths occurred.
“Presently, there are three active confirmed cases of COVID-19 being managed by staff of the hospital. One of these is currently on admission, while the other two are being managed at home,” he tweeted.
The CMD said that as part of efforts to ensure that all its workers were properly protected, it would commence the distribution of customised face masks.
He said that the face masks, made by the hospital’s tailoring unit, had an advance preliminary testing.
“We shall commence the distribution of UCH-customised face masks to staff next week.
“More protective equipment will also be distributed to key officials in critical areas of our operations.
“I urge everyone to abide by the required infection prevention and control (IPC) measures, such as social distancing, regular hand washing, use of hand sanitiser and face masks, as stipulated by health authorities #StaySafe,” Otegbayo said.
By Abbas Bamalli and Oluwabukola Akanni
