Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai has joined his Lagos state counterpart in self-isolation.
The governor had to go into isolation, as a family member and senior government officials tested positive for COVID-19.
El-Rufai, who disclosed the development himself on Saturday in a broadcast shared on his Twitter handle, stated that the measure was necessary as a precaution pending a COVID-19 test to be conducted on Sunday.
It will be recalled that the El-Rufai was among prominent Nigeria who had tested positive for the virus in the earlier stage of the pandemic in the country.
Following this recent development, the state Commissioner of Health, Dr. Amina Mohammed-Baloni in a press conference held at the Ministry of Health, Kaduna, on Saturday, 12th December 2020, warned the citizens on the rising rate of Covid-19 infection in the state and appealed for urgent action by residents to help stop the spread of the disease and save lives.
According to the commissioner, “the State is now recording high infection figures reminiscent of the first wave of Covid-19 spread in April, May and June 2020. The lowering of the infection rate following the first wave encouraged the government to approve the recommendation of the State Covid-19 Task Force for a significant reopening of the state.
“However, we are saddened to report that the conditions the compelled the 75day lockdown of the state are now being replicated. On 26th November 2020, the state recorded 74 positive results from 531 samples.
“The quantum of infections since then suggest both high infection rates and the reality of that a new wave of infections is spreading across the state. As at yesterday, 11th December, the state recorded 117 positive cases from 518 samples. (This translates to almost one in four samples testing positive).
“The Ministry of Health expected some increase in infections after the reopening of schools, markets, places of worship and recreational centres. But the figures easily outstrip our estimates. While infections cut across age groups, this new wave especially affects those aged between 10 and 35. (55%).
“There is now a veritable danger to lives and livelihoods with the renewed Covid-19 infections. If the spread continues at the current rate, it may challenge and overwhelm the health system despite our efforts to improve the resilience of that sector.
“We cannot allow this to happen. Kaduna State contained the first wave because, among other measures, most citizens observed and practised the Covid-19 prevention protocols. The Ministry of Health wishes to appeal to all our people to recommit to behaviour that protects themselves and their families from infection. Voluntary compliance with the protocols can help us avoid the worst case scenarios and limit the spread of the disease.
“We had previously observed the wholesale abandonment of any compliance with protective measures. We cautioned against this and reminded citizens that the relaxation of lockdown measures did not mean that Covid-19 had been defeated or disappeared.
“The rising infection is a reminder that Covid-19 remains a potent danger to lives and livelihoods. Anyone who remembers the pains and sacrifices of the lockdown period will not want that to be repeated,” the commissioner stated.
