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From Mohammed Salisu in Sokoto
Sokoto State Government although the measures so far taken to stem the tide of the raging global Corona Virus Pandemic ( COVID 19),are harsh, they are not punitive , but aimed at further safeguarding the lives of the citizenry, according to Dr Ali Inname, Health Commissioner .
Inname disclosed this in Sokoto on Sunday, when he gave an update on the ongoing myriad of plausible measures so far taken by the State Government , to prevent the spread of the dreaded disease into the state .
The Health Commissioner however expressed delight that, Sokoto State remains COVID 19-free , vowing ,” We will not in anyway be complacent , to sustain the zero-case status , In sha Allahu. ”
Inname said the measures that had successfully been implemented In the state include the closure of all schools as directed by the North West Governors.
Others were the banning of entry and exit into the state, banning of all large social gatherings and the directive to workers on Grade level 12 and below to work from their homes , among others .
According to the Health Commissioner, these measures were employed to minimize the movement and interactions of the people , with a view to curbing the menace of the pandemic .
Inname averred that , the State Task Force on COVID 19 set up by the state government ,which he chairs , was still on red alert , 24-hours a day.
The Commissioner explained ,” the disease has a fourteen day incubation period , within which the symptoms can fully manifest .
” Yet, a positive person, who may not even be aware of his status, can infect three other persons and the subsequent multiplier infections .
” Although COVID19 causes less mortality , yet ,it can rapidly spread , hence, self isolation of all suspected cases and quarantines are crucial .”
Inname stressed the need for the people to continue to ensure regular hand washing with soaps or sanitizers , covering of their mouths when sneezing and minimizing social gatherings , as well as cancelling all unnecessary ones .
In the same vein , he maintained that, the only suspected case in the State had turned out to be negative .
According to him, the state government was in the process of establishing a testing centre in Sokoto, as pioneered and anchored by Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.
Similarly, Inname further disclosed plans by the Ministry of Health to commence the production of hand sanitizers which would be distributed across the state.
This action, the Health Commissioner further explained, was sequel to the paucity of the highly needed commodity in the open markets , as well as its skyrocketed prices .
Inname also pledged that ,the Task Force would sustain statewide training and retraining of health workers and other critical stakeholders, as well as intensifying public enlightenment.
