The National Coordinator, Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Dr. Sani Aliyu, has explained why there may be more deaths in Kano
The taskforce noted that at the moment, the Federal government does not know the number of persons that have died from the Coronavirus pandemic in Kano State.
He stated this while debunking reports that the COVID-19 testing laboratory in the state was closed due to the lack of reagents.
He explained that the laboratory was rather closed after some of its staff COVID-19 test results came out positive.
Aliyu stated this during a virtual press briefing by the World Economic Forum/World Health Organisation.
“The laboratory was closed to allow for decontamination as we were unsure if the staff contracted it during analysis of samples or from outside the facility.
“The Kano testing laboratory was closed down because one or two persons in the lab acquired COVID-19. It wasn’t very clear whether they acquired it in the facility or if it was brought in. This has raised concerns, so we have taken measures to disinfect the place,” he said
Aliyu said that samples can still be collected, adding that measures have been put in place to ensure samples are taken.
“The laboratory will not be closed for too long because three or four days is enough to decontaminate the facility.
He said the Federal Government presently does not know the true number of deaths from Kano until ongoing investigation is concluded.
“There are several scenarios that could be happening; one is that there could be increase in numbers of death due to COVID-19, the other possibility is that it may not be caused by the virus,” he said.
“You are aware that a lot of hospitals in Kano have closed so people with medical concerns are having difficulty accessing care, so the deaths may not be related to the virus. We are awaiting the investigation to ascertain the true picture.”
Aliyu further disclosed that there are only 350 ventilators in the country before the outbreak of the disease in Nigeria, but that another 100 have been added.
