Another WHO staff tests positive for Coronavirus in Bauchi State

Another staff of the World Health Organization (WHO) has tested positive for Coronavirus in Bauchi state, bringing the total number of Coronavirus cases in the state to 8.

Recall it was reported yesterday that the Bauchi State Government sealed the office complex shared by the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) and World Health Organisation (WHO) after one of their workers tested positive to the new coronavirus. The Bauchi State ministry of health said the office complex was first decontaminated before it was officially sealed.

Speaking to journalists at the end of “an extraordinary stakeholders’ meeting” on the COVID-19 pandemic on Tuesday April 21, Governor Mohammed Bala disclosed that another WHO staff has tested positive for the virus.

Bala said;

“Even as we are meeting, I understand that there is another case that has been mentioned that has been found to be positive among the WHO staff – and now we have three active cases.”

The Bauchi state Governor said that though more cases of the COVID-19 are being recorded, only partial lockdown would work for the government and people of the state.

He added;

“After a thorough discussion with all stakeholders of Bauchi, we have thoroughly discussed the problems and challenges on the prevalence of the COVID-19 in Bauchi.

“We have also taken cognizance of the fact that Ramadan is approaching, and the majority of the people have always considered this moment as period of worship.

“And looking at all the decisions taken by the Jamaatul Nasirul Islam, and opinions expressed by our Emirs, our Ulamas, we came to the conclusion that the Committee on COVID-19 in Bauchi will sit down with a cross-section of Ulama and clergymen to come out with clear guidelines on a partial lockdown on Bauchi State.

“This is being considered because we have a resurgence with what is happening in Kano, our neighbours and even here in Bauchi.

“The stakeholders of Bauchi have taken responsibility and they have given the government of Bauchi the mandate to take any action that will stop the prevalence or escalation of this COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are therefore going to sit down and come up with clear guidelines but taking into cognizance what we will do to ensure sensitization and congregation following the protocols established by WHO in terms of social distancing and sensitization.

“The partial lockdown will involve more stringent measures that will affect the whole state.”