53 persons who have contact with the first Covid-19 positive case in Limawa community of Minna Niger state have been traced.
Blueprint learnt that the people have been placed on close monitoring and observation for the next 14 days as quarantine of the entire community continue.
It was learnt that a Rapid Response Team (-NRRT) from the National Central for Disease Control has arrived Minna the state Capital to assist the state government in curtailing the spread of the virus.
A statement from the Niger state Taskforce on Covid-19 in Minna said the NCDC-NRRT support for Niger state was to ensure filling of case investigation forms, ensure sample reference laboratory testing and build capacity of state case detection, investigation.
The team led by Dr. Ifeanyi Abali will also help the state in management and risk communication and ensure real time notification of disease for enhancing timely decision making for COVID-19 emergency operations.
The Director of Niger state Public Health, Dr Ibrahim Idris, in the statement said eleven 11specimen samples have so far been taken to NCDC for analysis and evaluation,
Speaking in interview with Blueprint Monday in Minna, the Secretary to the State Government and chairman of the Covid-19 Taskforce, Ahmed Ibrahim Matane said government is on top of the situation.
He regretted that some people have started playing politics with the issue of unfortunate first covid-19 positive case in the state.
He said, ” we traced 53 persons who have contact with the index case and we are forwarding their samples to Abuja for test. We are hoping that they will be negative.”
