Puzzle in Sokoto as Covid-19 cases cluster in one LGA

In what seems like a mystery, all the Covid-19 cases so far recorded in Sokoto state are from one local government area.

So far, Sokoto state has recorded 113 confirmed Covid-19 cases, 66 have already recovered and 13 deaths were recorded.

This development has become a source of concern to both the government and experts in the health sector.

Expressing his concern at the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on Covid-19 media briefing in Abuja, on Monday, the Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, said: “The mission to Sokoto was successful and the team is presently in Maiduguri to support the state.

“A curious finding in Sokoto is the cluster of Covid-19 cases in only one local government area. The number of deaths has dropped and we are beginning to see a decline in positive cases in the state.

“I wish to thank His Excellency Governor Aminu Tambuwal for his support and commitment to the response in the state.”

Ehanire, who was represented by the Minister of State for Health, Olorunnimbe Mamora, disclosed that a Ministerial team of expert has been dispatched to Calabar on a scoping mission to engage with State authorities and determine material and technical needs.

The Minister further revealed that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) was collaborating with development partners to engage influential religious leaders in Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Ebonyi, Kebbi, Nasarawa, Plateau, Sokoto and Zamfara states to complement the community mobilization activities of our community health workers.

They will also facilitate awareness creation on COVID-19 in the rural communities as well as support our efforts to ramp up community testing.

The Federal Government, according to Ehanire, has commenced Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) training specifically for the Almajirai in Kano.

“A high level technical meeting on the output of the National Covid-19 Response Mid-Action Review has been conducted.

“Output from this meeting will provide guidance in strengthening our response and develop strategies for reaching more communities,” he explained.