The attention of Maiduguri residents have been
called by Borno High Powered Committee to be at alert as two positive patients
are on the run.
called by Borno High Powered Committee to be at alert as two positive patients
are on the run.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Salisu Kwaya-Bura,
made this known on Sunday in Maiduguri while giving an update on the COVID-19
pandemic in the state. He said that a 24-year-old male and a 42-year-old female
had gone into hiding to avoid being taken to an isolation center.
made this known on Sunday in Maiduguri while giving an update on the COVID-19
pandemic in the state. He said that a 24-year-old male and a 42-year-old female
had gone into hiding to avoid being taken to an isolation center.
Kwaya-Bura, who is the Secretary of the State High
Powered Taskforce on Covid-19, said surveillance teams have been deployed to locate
and return them to the isolation centre.
Powered Taskforce on Covid-19, said surveillance teams have been deployed to locate
and return them to the isolation centre.
“The male patient at first responded to a phone
call from the team after his sample was collected but switched off his phone
when he learnt he tested positive.
call from the team after his sample was collected but switched off his phone
when he learnt he tested positive.
“When samples of patients with contacts to index cases
are collected, they are normally advised to go on self-isolation.
are collected, they are normally advised to go on self-isolation.
“They give their contacts so they can be reached
when the results are out. This is the standard medical procedure.
when the results are out. This is the standard medical procedure.
“You can’t detain someone with suspected contact.
We do not have the lawful powers to do that. Other patients were also allowed
to leave but they came into isolation centers and we have 19 of them in two
isolation centers.
We do not have the lawful powers to do that. Other patients were also allowed
to leave but they came into isolation centers and we have 19 of them in two
isolation centers.
“However, the young man in question chose to go
into hiding,” Kwaya-Bura said. Kwaya-bura called on anyone who tested positive
for the coronavirus not to see it as a death sentence.
into hiding,” Kwaya-Bura said. Kwaya-bura called on anyone who tested positive
for the coronavirus not to see it as a death sentence.
He concluded by making it known to everyone that 16
COVID-19 cases recorded in Borno emanated from community transmission while 14
others were connected to the index case.
COVID-19 cases recorded in Borno emanated from community transmission while 14
others were connected to the index case.
