COVID-19 patients who fled ‘now in isolation centre

Amina Mohammed Baloni, commissioner for health in Kaduna, says security agents have successfully tracked down two COVID-19 patients who fled their homes shortly after they were notified of their test results.

In a statement on Sunday evening, Baloni said “the man and woman involved are now at the Kaduna state government isolation centre for treatment.’’

According to the commissioner, the patients had been under self-isolation in their homes after their samples were taken for testing.

They, however, became unreachable after they received the news of their COVID-19 status.

“Two patients had been isolating in their respective homes pending receipt of their test results. They both switched off their phones and remained incommunicado once they were informed of their positive test results,” Baloni said.

She urged residents of the state to take precautions regarding contracting the virus.

“However, persons who get infected should note that COVID-19 is not a death sentence,” she said, adding that “persons who receive treatment promptly have a higher chance of defeating the disease.”

“Twelve persons have so far been discharged in Kaduna State after receiving treatment and our health professionals are working hard for the recovery of other patients,” she said.

As of May 9, 2020, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) had recorded 98 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Kaduna.