The Presidential Task Force PTF on the Novel Coronavirus COVID-19 Pandemic said it has redeployed 17 personnel to Kano State to tackle the rising situation in the state.
National Coordinator of the PTF, Dr Sani Aliyu, who disclosed this on Thursday during the daily press briefing by the PTF in Abuja also said the task force, in conjunction with the state government, had commenced investigation into the recent strange deaths that were recently recorded in Kano.
The National Coordinator also disclosed that the PTF had organised and sent additional laboratory equipment to Kano to buoy up the response efforts, but noted that the laboratory in the state been shut down for the time being, for the period that the ongoing fumigation and disinfection would last.
“The Honourable Minister and the DG of the NCDC have already spoken about additional support to Kano. The PTF has directed and in line with the directive, the NCDC has already redeployed at least, 17 persons, including seven from the WHO to Kano to deal with current issues that have arisen.
“In addition to this, the DG NCDC has asked the state emergency operating centre to reorganise the way it functions and a joint team from the state government is currently investigating the concerns with regards the deaths.
“Additional laboratory equipment have also been sent to Kano yesterday, but Kano laboratory, at the moment, is closed for the next few days while fumigation and disinfection is ongoing”, he said.
Aliyu, however, emphasised the importance of taking steps to disconnect the chain of the spread of the disease, for which he said government would continue to enlist the cooperation of the general public.
He noted the low output of cases in some states, which he attributed to the lack of effective testing in the communities in such states, he however charged the state emergency operating centres to immediately commence active search for case in the communities, noting this was the only way the chain of the spread of the disease across the country.
“It’s extremely important that we continue to measure and stop community spread, we cannot do that without the cooperation of the public, we continue to call on the public to please restrict and stay where they are and it is important. It’s a temporary sacrifice for the long term benefit of all of us”, he said.
He also commended the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) for the decision to block inter-state movement for 14 days, noting this was necessary if Nigeria would halt inter-state spread of COVID-19.
“PTF continues to engage very closely with the state governments, we are particularly pleased to note the decision by the Nigerian Governors’ Forum to restrict inter-states travel. This is really important when it comes to reducing the risks of inter-state spread and transmission of the virus”, he said.