Kogi State Covid19 squadron sets record straight on case of expatriate suspected virus carrier »

Kogi State Government squadron on the Coronavirus Pandemic has set the records straight about a suspected case by a female expatriate working with an international organization in the state.

This was contained in a press statement made available to newsmen in Lokoja as signed by the state Commissioner for Information and Communication, Kingsley Fanwo who doubles as the communications officer for the squadron.

The statement said the squadron received a distress call from the expatriate who suspected that she had symptoms similar to those associated with COVID-19 which had generated widespread speculations.

As far as the committee is concerned, the case does not fit into the spectrum of criteria set by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) for actual or suspected Covid19 cases requiring testing.

According to the statement, immediately the message was received from the expatriate, the Incident Manager who is also the Kogi State Commissioner for Health, Dr Saka Haruna, led a team of medical experts to assess the situation with a bid to ascertaining if the alleged symptoms fit into the criteria for Covid19 testing.

It noted that she narrated to the team on how the symptoms she earlier communicated in her phone call had disappeared and that the Incident Officer went ahead to take her temperature using the recommended infrared thermometer, notwithstanding and that her temperature was at a healthy 36.8°C.

“The temperature readings fell totally within normal range and she did not exhibit any of the other symptoms which by the latest NCDC guidelines ought to have paired her nonexistent fever to necessitate further tests for Covid19.

“Curiously, the said individual still insisted that her case be escalated to the NCDC for Covid19 testing.”

The statement said Kogi State Government is genuinely suspicious of the motive behind her insistence, especially as there are attempts to import the disease or declare fictitious cases in the state.

“In view of the fact that Kogi State is one of only two states still Covid29 free in Nigeria and having regard to recent pressures from some interesting quarters for Kogi State to find and declare cases of the disease, we are wary of an unholy conspiracy to declare COVID-19 in all states of the federation.

“It is therefore pertinent to note that while the Kogi State Government will never conceal any real case of the novel coronavirus disease if it occurs in the state, she will adhere strictly to NCDC guidelines to vehemently resist all attempts to manufacture false figures or cases of COVID-19 in Kogi State.

“The great people of Kogi State have shown admirable resilience and a strong sense of responsibility since the Covid-19 pandemic broke out and we urge them to continue observing the recommended personal, environmental and respiratory hygiene protocols as recommended by both international and national regulatory authorities.

“We assure all Kogites that His Excellency, Governor Yahaya Bello and his team take seriously indeed the duty to safeguard them from all threats to their health and will continue to safeguard them from all diseases, including COVID-19, Lassa Fever and other ailments.”