Jigawa State government has announced the closure of its borders with neighbouring states after recording five additional cases of Coronavirus in addition to four earlier established cases in the state.
This was confirmed by Governor Badaru Abubakar in a press briefing at Government House, Dutse, the state capital, indicating that the order would commence from 12 midnight of Thursday.
Badaru, who lamented the situation, said the border closure was imperative to prevent spill-over of the virus, citing least among the infected councils as Dutse, Miga, Auyo, Gwaram, Taura, Gumel, and Birnin Kudu.
According to him, the victim of the confirmed COVID-19 victim was from Gujungu town in Taura local government area, while the other one was in Birninkudu local government, but works in Gumel local government, hence the affected councils were under lockdown in the three local government areas.
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Meanwhile, the index case that was transferred from Kano State, had tested negative, but would only be discharged after testing negative for the second time.
“On the positive note, the two patients on admission are doing well and indeed the result of the index case transferred from Kano returned negative which is an encouraging sign of progress. Once the second test becomes negative, the patient would be discharged.”
“On the flip side of the coin, however, the results from Abuja returned two samples positive, one from Gujungu in Taura local government, and the other in Birninkudu, but working in Gumel.
“As it was applied in Kazaure, it has become imperative to also lockdown Gujungu, Birninkudu and Gumel for one from Thursday, April 30 at 12 midnight to allow for contact tracing and sample collections in the areas,” the governor said.
Meanwhile, a large consignment of foodstuff comprising of bags of rice, millet, maize, among others, was distributed to communities of Kazaure local government area as part of the state government’s palliatives to cushion the effects of the lockdown imposed by Jigawa State government.