Whereabouts of a middle-aged man suspected to have shown symptoms of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) has caused apprehension in Katsina State.

A resident of Dogon Marke village in Bakori Council, the man reportedly came to the state from Lagos a few days ago, after he had complained about ill-health.

Hours after arriving the community, the man, a chauffeur to an Indian businessman, was nowhere to be found. That caused panic in the community.

His disappearance saw several people within and outside his community fret, due to the virus’ easy mode of spread.

But the permanent secretary in the state’s ministry of health, Dr. Kabir Mustapha, has allayed fears about the man’s whereabouts, saying he had not run away. He explained that the man’s blood sample had been taken, and that he was on isolation awaiting his test result.

More than N150 million has been doled out to the state government to check the spread of COVID-19 in the state.The amount is in addition to donation of 50 per cent of the salaries of the state executive members and House of Assembly members to fight the virus across the state.

The deputy governor, Mannir Yakubu, stated this yesterday evening at a press conference, where he disclosed an Emergency Response Committee set up to curb the spread of the virus.

Yakubu, who chairs the committee, said the highest donation was N100 million from business mogul, Dahiru Mangal.He said the United Bank of Africa (UBA) donated N28.5 million, while another business mogul, Mannir Abukur, gave N10 million.He said an anonymous donor gave N10 million while another business owner, Salisu Mamman, doled out N5 million.

Meanwhile, Kwara State government has announced shut down of all land borders into the state.Besides, the government has procured 200 fumigation machines and approved the disinfection of all markets and other specified places across the state.

Chairman of the state’s Technical Committee on COVID-19 and Deputy Governor, Mr. Kayode Alabi, announced this yesterday while fielding questions from reporters in Ilorin, adding that the decontamination exercise would begin today.

Alabi noted that only vehicles carrying agricultural produce, medical equipment, and officials on essential duties related to COVID-19 campaign would be allowed to move into the state.

According to him, after the fumigation, specific markets in the state would be designated and announced for people to purchase food and other essentials only. He added that Soludero buses would be made available for public transportation with strict adherence to social distancing and other preventive protocols. (The Guardian)

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