COVID-19: 80 percent of tests in Kano communities ‘now positive’

Nasiru Gwarzo, head of the COVID-19 task force in Kano, says 80 percent of the samples collected for COVID-19 test in Kano communities is  now positive.

In an interview with BBC Hausa,  Gwarzo said efforts had been made to increase the collection of samples in the sate.

Kano, which recorded its first case of the disease about three weeks ago, now has 311 confirmed cases, making it the second worst-hit state.

Since the index case, there have been reports of unusual deaths in the state, 41 percent of which were found to have a symptom of COVID-19.

Gwarzo said the situation in Kano needs urgent intervention especially from stakeholders, as the disease is spreading to various areas.

“When about 100 samples are delivered, there are five to ten that are positive (for coronavirus),” he said.

“But now, when 100 samples are returned, about 80 are coronavirus cases.”

The official added that the restriction of movement has made it impossible for some persons in the state to travel abroad for medical treatment, and that some people are also staying away from the hospitals.

He said in addition to the increased testing capacity in the state, adequate personal protective gears are now being supplied to health workers.

Kano is currently under a two-week lockdown though Abdullahi Ganduje, the state governor, has appealed to the federal government to allow little movement.

“We are making this appeal on behalf of our people who are presently running out of food items,” he had said.

“We would love the federal government to relax the lockdown for a period of time to enable people stock their homes, especially now that majority of us are fasting. It will also ease the economic hardship in the state.”

Editor’s note: This story has been edited over an error of fact