Jigawa State Government denies recorded case of coronavirus

The Jigawa State Government has advised the public to disregard any information spreading on social media about one case of coronavirus recorded  in the State.

Penpushing reports that this was made known in a press release signed by Special Assistant to the Governor of Jigawa State on new media, Auwal Sankara, on Friday.

“It has come to the notice of the Jigawa State Government about a rumour going round that Jigawa State recorded a case of novel coronavirus and the rumour is fast circulating in the social media”, the statement said

Penpushing further reports that the victim was said to be an indigene of Jigawa, been a passenger coming back from Lagos through Kano,  a route to Jigawa, when he was intercepted by the Task Force on coronavirus at the Kano State Border and tested positive to the virus.

“In spite of the fact that the said victim is an indigene of Jigawa State but his sample was not taken in Jigawa State and was not confirmed in the shores of the State, Regrettably, the bone of contention here is that the Kano State Government insisted on bringing the said victim to Jigawa State”.

“The said victim is a passenger who was coming back from Lagos, passing through Kano en route Jigawa, where he and one other were intercepted and isolated by the officials of the Kano State Covid-19 Task Force at the Kano State Border. One of the intercepted passengers later tested positive to the virus”

Penpushing recalled that the, Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Muhammad Badaru Abubakar  had swung into action with various containment strategies ranging from the inauguration of task forces and building of 3 isolation center to combat the possible spread and prepare for eventuality, policy pronouncements, restriction of movements and fumigation.

The Governor along with his North-West counterparts were the first to take proactive measures by closing down schools for 30 days from 23 March, which is crucial to prevent the spread of the virus across the State.

The Comptroller General of Nigerian Immigration Services, Muhammed Babandede who was also an indigene of Jigawa State, was tested positive to the virus, but was never recorded as a Jigawa State case, because he was not tested in Jigawa, rather he was confined and isolated at the FCT where his sample was taken.

Penpushing also reports that,  the insistence of the Kano State to bring the said victim was not overturned by the Jigawa State Government, and Governor Badaru instructed and sent a medical team to bring down the patient, in which he was now receiving medical attention in the Jigawa State Isolation Center.

“The Jigawa State Government will always be concerned, ready and willing to bring back home any of its indigene who was rejected or stigmatized by any state. In view of the foregoing, the Jigawa State Government hereby unequivocally states that that there is no record that the Jigawa State Government has any confirmed case of COVID-19”

‘Jigawa state government advised the public to  disregard any information as no case of coronavirus disease has been recorded in Jigawa state, nor any suspected case is currently being investigated.

Meanwhile, Badaru  called on the residents to remain calm and not panic, and also assured the  people of Jigawa State of his continued commitment towards preventing the pandemic in the state, saying that all measures of safety are being put in place to prevent its occurrence.