Kano to conduct COVID-19 tests at border towns

Abdullahi Ganduje, governor of Kano, says the state is making arrangements to carry out COVID-19 tests at border towns.

He stated this on Wednesday during the presentation of the COVID-19 response team, adding that security agencies will also provide support to ensure compliance with COVID-19 protocol in the state.

According to the governor, persons who wish to enter the state will be tested, as part of efforts to check the spread of COVID-19.

He also explained that the government has decided to engage traditional rulers to spread the message on compliance with preventive measures.

“We are also going to engage ulamas, academic communities, such as public and private schools, universities, colleges, among others. We have also censored our markets. We shall therefore engage them on enforcement of compliance to the protocols. By this, I am sure we will be able to tackle the problem in our state,” Ganduje added.

On his part, Sabitu Shanono, deputy coordinator of the Kano rapid response team on COVID-19, noted that the state has lost 17 residents to the virus between December 2020 and January 19, 2021.

He added that Kano has recorded 71 deaths since the index case was confirmed on April 11, 2020.

According to Shanono, 827 new cases have been recorded amid the second wave of infections, out of which 289 are still on admission.

He lamented poor public compliance with the “infection, prevention and control (IPC) protocol”, and said this was contributing significantly to the increase in the number of new cases.

“Poor cooperation by confirmed cases to self-isolate themselves or even be taken to isolation facilities, this is the reason why we have community transmission of the infection in the state,” he said.

“There was a case that infected about 19 persons due to failure to self-isolate. I, therefore, use this opportunity to call on people to cooperate with the government in a bid to stamp out this disease in the state.”