After repeatedly refuting reports of mysterious deaths rocking the city of Kano, claiming scores of people including dozens of prominent citizens, the Kano State Government final admitted the flurry of deaths describing the situation as “serious”.
In a press release issued by the State’s Commissioner for Information, Mr. Muhammad Garba on Sunday, the government recapitulated from its original rebuttal that the reports of the mystery deaths were exaggerated. It but now assured that it was working assiduously to stop the unfolding tragedy and keep its citizens and residents safe.
Despite the mysterious deaths, Garba gave the Governor Ganduje Administration a pat on the back for its handling of the coronavirus pandemic, stating that the government had been receiving accolades from within and outside the state over the proactive measures it reportedly took.
The Commissioner said: “This explains why Kano, apart from being the most populace state, did not record a case of the pandemic until lately. Though we agree that the situation on hand currently is serious, we are not resting on our oars in taking appropriate measures to ensure that the good people of Kano state, and indeed, residents in the state protect themselves from the novel COVID-19 pandemic.
“Moreso, the state government has three modern isolation centres where those tested positive to COVID-19 are being cared for. We are also hopeful of getting additional two isolation soonest. The government has also hired a hotel where suspected cases are accommodated.
“Also, Kano state government is collaborating with Bayero University Kano (BUK) to establish a testing centre within the institution, which will be ready in two weeks time after being certified by the NCDC. This will, indeed, enhance our determination to ensure that every suspected case undergo test.
“Governor Ganduje has also sent a passionate appeal to the Federal Government to urgently work on the NCDC testing centre at AKTH which has been closed down for sometime now.
“We have enough medical manpower that can take care of the patients. What we are now asking for is financial assistance from the Federal Government and other donors to help sustain all this infrastructure and also continue the provision of palliatives to our people.”
Garba restated that the Kano State Government was worried about the current situation but assured that the Ministry of Health and other relevant agencies were on top of the problem.
Medical investigations, he said, were scrupulous and necessary actions were being taken to stop the spread of the strange virus.