As the Corona virus pandemic rages across the world with cases multiplying in Nigeria on a daily basis and Kaduna state recording its first case on Saturday, ABDULRAHEEM AODU takes a look at the state’s fight against the killer disease.
Kaduna gov’t shuts down schools
Since closing primary, secondary and tertiary educational institutions across the state effective after closing hour on Friday March 20 2020, Kaduna state government has taken proactive measures to address the encroachment of Corona virus into the state. Although the state was Corvid-19 free, Governor Nasir el-Rufai rolled out several policies to keep the scourge out of the state particularly after the first case was recorded in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, which is two hours distance by train and exchanged 5,000 passengers with the state on a daily basis, apart from the road transportation. The citizens were soon told not to be in a gathering of more than 50 people even as the Muslims’ Jumaat congregational prayer and Christians’ Sunday service approached. The gathering was later reduced to 20 people, while markets were partially shut down with only traders selling food and drug sellers allowed to operate. Transporters were equally told to sit their passengers apart with tricycles allowed to carry only two passengers, while 10-seater buses were told to carry only five passengers. As government realised that these measures were either being flouted or not fully adhered to, the state government on Thursday last week slammed a 24-hour curfew effective from Thursday midnight.
Two Imams arrested for holding Juma’at prayer during curfew
The state government ensuring that it prevents the closeness that prevails at congregational Muslim worships on Friday and Christian church services on Sunday. But the curfew order could not keep people apart and at their houses as two Muslim clerics were later arrested by government for holding Friday congregational prayers in Malali and Ungwan Kanawa. The situation that had previously been handled with levity by some of the citizens was ramped up when Kaduna state recorded its first case on Saturday with Governor Nasir el-Rufai announcing that he has tested positive to Covid-19.
Kaduna infectious disease centre not ready
As the Corona virus disease continues to rage across the world, the Kaduna State Infectious Disease Control Centre located in Down Quarters, Kaduna South LGA is currently undergoing refurbishment and being equipped to prepare it for isolation from any possible mature case in the state. Although three earlier suspected cases in the state all tested negative, but with the new positive case now recorded, it is imperative that the state government gets ready any potential case that may require isolation and treatment. When Blueprint visited the IDCC facility on Thursday, equipment were being moved in as workers were seen constructing a new doorway into the isolation wards to enable patients use different door from the staff.One of the staff on duty at the facility told our correspondent that the facility is being put in shape in readiness for any possible outbreak of Corona virus in the state. Mrs Aisha Yahaya said that the facility has received various equipment such as oxygen concentrator, suction machines, wall screens, oxygen regulators, oxygen masks, adding that more equipment and drugs were being expected. “We are in the process of putting the facility in order as the necessary things are being brought in while more are on the way. We just handled four cases of Lassa Fever in which three of them were treated and discharged, though we lost one of them. The entire facility was disinfected after the last Lassa Fever case was discharged. “We have facilities for 16 patients, we have four bed- isolation rooms, two bed- recovery rooms, four beds in male ward and six beds in the female ward. We have solar power, generating plant and normal power supply. “We want to open another door for the patients different from the staff entrance into the facility. The patients would follow the new entrance into the isolation room, from there to the ward, from there to recovery room and once confirmed that they have recovered, they would be moved to the decontamination room where they would be thoroughly disinfected before exiting the facility. “We have received four oxygen concentrators, three wall screens, one suction machine, one wheel chair, 30 oxygen masks, two oxygen regulators, lighting torch. We also receive TV set, refrigerator, water dispenser, and air conditioners for the comfort of the patients. “We have hand sanitisers and suits for the staff, but we need supportive drugs for common ailments for the pharmacy to cater for any accompanying disease that the patients may have.” She said the state government has stated that it would build another isolation ward for patients. Just as the state government reportedly said that there is another isolation centre at the Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital, Kaduna.
No Covid-19 routine test
As citizens of the state who suspected that they may have been exposed to the virus seek test to confirm their status, the state commissioner for health, Dr Amina Mohammed-Baloni, said that there is no routine test for Covid-19. She said they need to undergo 14-days self isolation and assess their health condition before seeking for test.According to Dr Amina, “Following Malam Nasir el-Rufai’s positive Covid-19 status, there has been an upsurge in inquiries about tests for Covid-19. Testing for Covid-19 is not yet offered as a routine service. “NCDC standard protocols require persons who have returned from countries with Covid-19 infections and those who have had contact with suspected/confirmed cases to self-isolate for 14 days. All persons in self-isolation are monitored for symptoms”Members of the public are advised to observe personal and respiratory hygiene, stay home and stay safe,” Amina said.