COVID-19: Borno traces contacts as first case dies

Following the confirmation of the first case of COVID-19, the Borno State Government has begun tracing people who had contact with the victim.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that a health worker with Doctors Without Border (MSF) working in Pulka village of Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State died at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital on Saturday.
He was confirmed positive for COVID-19.
The Chairman, Borno State High-Powered Committee on COVID-19, Alhaji Umar Kadafur, disclosed the development on Monday while addressing newsmen in Maiduguri.
Kadafur said: “All contacts of the deceased are being traced and necessary measures to prevent further spread has been put in place.
“To this point, about 99 persons of interest have been traced and strategic testing instituted; 35 in Pulka and 64 in Maiduguri.
“Furthermore, the organisation he worked for in Pulka has been directed to provide line list, profile and quarantine all his contacts and submit same to the committee for action.
“Meanwhile, a team on surveillance and case management has been deployed to Pulka for further investigation and sample collection.”
Kadafur, who is also the Borno State Deputy Governor, urged the people to take the issue of the pandemic serious and demonstrate strict adherence to measure to contain its spread by observing strict hygiene and social distancing.
He stated that the state Public Health Emergency Operations Centre for COVID-19 would be activated in line with procedure.
Similarly, the News Agency of Nigeria reports that the state Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, would be making a statewide broadcast later on Monday.
NAN also reports that 85 violators of the ban on inter state travelling have been arrested and would be detained for 14 days to ensure they are not carrying the virus.