WHO staff member tests positive for COVID-19 in Bauchi

A staff member of the World Health Organisation (WHO) in Bauchi state has contracted the coronavirus.

Aliyu Mohammed, the state commissioner of health, said the WHO staff member, who was not named, earlier travelled to Kano state before testing positive for COVID-19.

A statement issued on Sunday by one Ibrahim Sani on behalf of the commissioner said the building housing the offices of the WHO and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has been sealed over the development.

The statement reads: “Following the confirmation of a staff of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Bauchi office who tested positive to COVID-19, the UNICEF/WHO offices have been decontaminated and are now officially sealed today, 19th April, 2020 by the Commissioner of Health, Dr Aliyu Maigoro Mohammed and the Executive Chairman of Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Agency (BASPHCDA), Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, as part of prevention and to de-escalate the spread of the virus in the state.”

“Available information revealed that the patient had travelled to Kano, therefore all his contacts both in Bauchi and Kano have been identified and isolated and they are under strict follow ups and surveillance.

“At the moment, UNICEF/WHO offices have been closed down for two weeks by the Bauchi State government.”

The new case brings the total number of persons infected with COVID-19 in Bauchi now to six — with one person discharged.

So far, Nigeria has recorded 541 cases of the disease, 166 of which have been discharged, while 19 have died.