Four-month old baby tests positive for coronavirus in Kaduna state

A four-month-old child has tested positive for coronavirus in Kaduna State, and was among the 20 new cases recorded in the state on Friday, as confirmed by the Kaduna State Ministry of Health.

Penpushing reports that the Commissioner of Health, Amina Mohammed-Baloni, in a statement disclosed that  the father of the infected child had a travel history to Kano, adding that, “the infant, who had been brought to hospital for respiratory issues, was tested in accordance with the updated guidelines which advise that persons presenting with such symptoms be tested,”.

The commissioner said that the child’s parents have also been tested and their results are being awaited, adding that 15 out of the 20 new patients were family members or close contacts of previously confirmed cases, spread across seven local government areas of the state.

‘’Chikun has seven (including five members of the same family), Giwa recorded four from the Shika community while three cases are in Kaduna North. Sabon-Gari and Kaduna South have two cases each, while Igabi and Zaria have one each, ” she said.

The commissioner also disclosed that six health workers were among the new cases underlining the risks associated with containing and managing coronavirus, affirming that the latest cases showed that the virus has spread into nine local governments of Chikun, Igabi, Giwa, Kaduna North, Kaduna South, Makarfi, Sabon-Gari, Soba and Zaria.

‘’This widening spread of COVID-19 means that the risk of infection has increased for persons who do not stay at home or who fail to observe necessary precautions when they go out’, she emphasised.

The commissioner advised parents to shun non-essential travelling or interactions to avoid taking the virus home and infecting their children and loved ones, stressing, “they must also exercise personal responsibility regarding not allowing visitors into their homes.’’

Penpushing also reports that, Mohammed-Baloni said one of the coronavirus fatalities in the state got infected when he received visitors at home, stating, ‘elderly persons and those with chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and respiratory diseases are more vulnerable to complications of Covid-19 infection.”

The commissioner passionately  appealed to all residents to wash their hands regularly with soap and water, wear face masks if they have compelling reasons to go out, observe physical distancing and avoid large gatherings, stressing,‘’ our communities should also continue the public service of reporting suspicious cases in their areas,’