By Gambo Mohammed, Damaturu
A person suspected of contacting Coronavirus in
Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, has been released to reunite with the society
after test proved he was negative.
The person, whose identity was not released, was the first person to be tested
for the pandemic in Northeast Nigeria.
The Yobe State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Mohammed Gana while addressing a
press conference on Saturday at Emergency Operation Centre, Damaturu, said the
57-year old male patient came to Yobe state; from California, United States 17
days ago.
He said that the specimen of the suspected case was taken to Abuja, and both
preliminary and subsequent tests results showed he was negative.
The Commissioner said there was no need for the fear of the virus in Damaturu
metropolis and the adjourning council areas of the state.
He said, “The patient has since been discharged; as he was certified to have
tested negative for carrying the virus.”
He disclosed that the Health Ministry called for a press conference to inform
the public not to panic, assuring that there is no case of the virus in Damaturu.
He said: “The people should not ‘panic or fear’ of the virus that has already been
tested negative in Damaturu metropolis.”
While speaking on preventative measures put in place, the Health Commissioner
said: “We urge all residents to maintain their basic personal hygiene within
and in their immediate environments. This will prevent people from contracting
the virus through direct contacts with persons carrying the virus in
communities and other public places.”
He added that State Government and development partners in Yobe; will continue
to train and retrain health workers on COVID-19 and other epidemic prone
diseases.
“We’ll be identifying and training our contact monitors and adopt preventative
measures against the coronavirus that claimed over 5, 000 lives across the
globe,” he assured.