WE MAY LOCKDOWN AGAIN IF COVID-19 CASES INCREASE – EL-RUFAI
The Kaduna State Government has warned that it may be forced to completely lockdown the State if it experiences an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases.
The State Government has however expressed confidence in its capacity at the moment to test and treat infections, with the activation of a mobile van known as ‘Wellness on Wheel (WOW)’, which uses the revolutionary GeneXpert machine to test for COVID-19.
Speaking during the inauguration of the initiative today, the Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai said that it was important in order to curb the spread of the disease, even as States across the country are relaxing restrictions.
The Governor said; “We are still reviewing the result of the last weekend compliance level of places of worship, and based on the result of compliance as well as the rate of infection, we may lockdown again.
“I am saying this for everyone in Kaduna State to hear. If we get to a level that the infection rate will overwhelm our health system and our health workers, we may lockdown again, we will go back to complete lockdown.’’
The former FCT Minister said the disease is a killer and that he would not want any resident of his State to experience it.
El-Rufai applauded the KNCV TB Foundation and USAID for deploying the equipment to his State.
The Kaduna State government got the GeneXpert machine with the support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the KNCV TB Foundation, Nigeria.
He added, “The GeneXpert machine that can be used to test a variety of diseases, was brought by the United State Agency for International Development (USAID) for TB, but with the outbreak of COVID-19, approval has been granted to also use it to test Coronavirus and it has been in our state for sometimes now. They have tested over 200 samples and many have been found positive.’’
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