16 Kano Almajiri returnees test positive in Kaduna

Sixteen Almajirai repatriated from Kano State to Kaduna have tested positive for coronavirus.

The Kaduna State Health Commissioner, Dr Amina Mohammed-Baloni, who announced this on Thursday, said the results returned positive from a sample of 40 persons whose results were released.

According to the commissioner, these latest cases have raised the number of active Covid-19 cases in Kaduna State from nine to 25.

She noted that the high number of positive results from persons with travel history from outside the state confirmed the state government’s fears about the danger of infection from neighbouring states.

The commissioner said, “The Kaduna State Ministry of Health has confirmed the sad news that there are 16 new Covid-19 cases in the state. These new cases are almajiris who came from Kano.”

Meanwhile, the Benue State Government on Thursday sent 59 Almajiris back to their states.

The state Deputy Governor and Chairman of the Benue COVID-19 Committee, Benson Abounu, explained that 42 of the destitute youths were from Katsina State and 17 from Bauchi State.

Abounu said, “42 of the young men claimed to come from Katsina State while the remaining 17 are from Bauchi State.

Meanwhile, the state government is to establish a centre for emerging infectious and tropical diseases intelligence and management in the state.

The state governor, Samuel Ortom, disclosed this on Thursday at the Government House, Makurdi, while receiving a proposal from the Provost, College of Health Sciences, Benue State University, Prof. Linus Saalu, on the need to start the project.

Ortom said the centre would tackle diseases in the state.

He said, “This will be a plus and a milestone for the health sub-sector, not just in Benue State but the entire country.”

The governor however constituted a committee headed by the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Sunday Ongbabo, to fine-tune and fast-track the kick off of the centre.