By AYINDE OLAIDE

Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, Executive Chairman, Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (BASPHCDA), said 41 persons had died of Lassa fever from January to date in the state.

Mohammed, who disclosed this in Bauchi on Saturday, noted that Lassa fever is more deadly than Coronavirus (COVID-19).

The PHCDA boss explained that a case of Coronavirus reported early have greater chances to get treated and recovers.

He added that most cases of Lassa fever were reported late, hence the number of death of patients.

“We just recorded another two deaths resulting from Lassa fever. This has brought the total number of deaths as a result of Lassa fever to forty-one.

“Coronavirus has been with us since 23rd of March this year, however, we have only recorded three deaths as a result of the virus.

“Most of Coronavirus cases reported early, have greater chances to recovery compare to Lassa fever infested people,” he said.

He expressed concern that Lassa fever infested cases, always seek for medical attention late.

According to him, until they have fever, they start bleeding from faeces, when it would have already been too late before they report.

“Now we have 41 people who have lost their lives due to Lassa fever contrast to three people who have lost their lives to Coronavirus,” he said.

He said the state government has intensified training of staff on how to carry out effective fumigation and spraying.

He added that the state government would be embarking on a massive spraying and decontamination of communities in order to combat Lassa fever in the state.

Mohammed, however, urged residents to also contribute their own quota by always reporting any suspected case of Lassa fever in the state as early diagnosis and treatment could help patients to recover.

Also on Saturday, Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, said that 24 medical officers in the state, had tested positive to coronavirus.

Mohammed who made the disclosure at a news conference in Bauchi, however, said no death had been recorded among the affected medical workers.

He revealed that 17 of them were from Azare, the headquarters of Katagum Local Government Area of the state while seven were from Bauchi Local Government Area.

Mohammed who is also the Chairman, Bauchi State Contact Tracing on COVID-19 Committee, said that all the health workers in the state were now more careful in handling the disease.

He added that all the necessary Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) had been provided for the frontline healthcare workers in the state.

“Here in Bauchi, we are really very concerned about this infection that is affecting our healthcare workers so that they will not be discouraged or demoralised,” he said.

He, however, advised the health workers to be very careful and ensure that they properly used their PPE at all times.

The PHCDA boss also assured the people that health workers in the state would continue to put in their best to ensure that more patients recovered from the infection.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Bauchi State has so far recorded 210 confirmed COVID-19 cases with 41 discharged, three deaths and 166 active cases. (NAN)

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