Three die of COVID-19 in Sokoto

The Sokoto government says three COVID-19 deaths have been recorded in the state.

Aminu Tambuwal, governor of the state, broke the news in a statement signed by Muhammad Bello, his special adviser on media and public affairs.

The governor said all three victims had a history of underlying health issues such as diabetes, asthma, and high blood pressure.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) had announced that nine new cases of the disease were confirmed in Sokoto on Tuesday. The state has a total of 19 confirmed cases

Earlier, Muhammad Inname, chairman of the state taskforce committee on COVID-19, said the state was investigating the circumstances surrounding the infections, as the first case, which was recorded on April 19, had no travel record.

He said the testing centre at the Usman Danfodio University Teaching Hospital, (UDUTH) was functional and had all the required test kits.

He said 279 health personnel were mobilised for the fight against the disease while about 3,000 volunteers had filled in forms to become participants.

The commissioner asked health personnel to always consider other cases beyond COVID-19 such as Lassa fever, meningitis, and hypertension.

He added that a committee was constituted to monitor deaths and burials in the cemeteries as well as establish contact with hospital management on the percentage of deaths to ensure careful and immediate interventions.

He advised residents to adhere to recommended safety regulations such as handwashing with soap, wearing face masks, use of hand sanitisers, and social distancing.