By ISHOLA MICHAEL, Bauchi

A 12-year-old Almajiri boy, who just returned from Kano, was among the 10 new positive cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic recorded in Bauchi State.

The confirmation of this new development was contained in the daily update of the COVID-19 Emergency Operation Center, Ministry of Health. released to the general public late Friday evening, which indicated that the state now has a total of 48 positive cases out of which 42 are active cases and 6 treated and discharged.

Tribune Online was reliably informed that the 12-year-old almajiri boy was among those repatriated from Kano state earlier in the week and whose samples were taken for testing having exhibited some symptoms of the infection.

It was narrated that when the results came in on Friday, he was the only one who tested positive and has since been taken to one of the isolation centres in Bauchi for treatment while the results of others are being awaited.

When the Health Commissioner, Dr Aliyu Maigoro Mohammed could not be reached for confirmation as he did not pick up the phone when he was called, Executive Chairman of Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Agency (BASPHCDA), Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, confirmed the new cases assuring, however, that details will be made available during the usual medial updates.

Rilwanu Mohammed added that the State is not resting on its oars in ensuring that the infection does not spread beyond what it is now.

He advised that people continue to adhere strictly to all the prescribed public health protocols put in place by the government. (Nigerian Tribune)