90% of Kaduna Coronavirus cases are almajirai from Kano, as Taraba rejects 79 from Nasarawa

65 of the active cases of COVID-19 cases in Kaduna are Islamic pupils (almajarai) shipped in from Kano, latest figures from the State Government says.
This is coming as Taraba State Government on Monday bluntly refused to allow 79 of the pupils from Nasarawa State in, because of improper profiling to show their COVID-19 status and Local Government Area of origin in Taraba.
A letter of rejection from the Taraba Government gleaned by journalists also refuted the number of 102 almajiris claimed to have been sent. Only 79 of them and some Nasarawa government officials arrived Jalingo, the Taraba capital, in four buses.
They have since been sent back with an advice that on subsequent return, the pupils should be accompanied by their respective Islamic teachers who will identify their parents at their respective Local Government Areas and properly hand them over to their parents
Meanwhile, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Innocent Vakkai, in Jalingo on Tuesday confirmed the re-arrest of COVID-19 patient, Mrs. Talatu Idris, who escaped from an Isolation Centre. She was one of the eight index cases in the state.
In Kaduna State, the government says it is treating 72 Covid-19 patients, out of which are 65 Almajirai who were recently returned from Kano and two other policemen.
A statement which was signed by Governor Nasir el Rufai’s Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Mr Muyiwa Adekeye, on Tuesday, said seven other cases, out of the 72 that are on admission, ‘’are persons with travel history outside Kaduna State or their contact.’’
Adekeye who was giving an update from the State Standing Committee on Covid-19 meeting on Monday, said two more patients have been discharged.
‘’Since the index case was reported on 28 March 2020, the state has discharged eight patients and has recorded one fatality who died before his positive test result was received,’’ he summarised.
The Special Adviser further said that ‘’overall, 81 cases have been recorded in the state but the active cases are now 72.’’
Adekeye warned on the dangers of community transmission, advising citizens to report anyone who recently came from another state to Kaduna state.
‘’As it continues its effort to prevent community transmission, the State Standing Committee on Covid-19 appeals to citizens to report any person who they know has sneaked into the state. Such persons are violating the state’s Quarantine Orders as well as the nationwide prohibition of interstate travel by the Federal Government,’’ he argued.
The statement pointed out that ‘’beyond illegal conduct, such persons are risking the health and lives of Kaduna State residents, by recklessly spreading the virus across state lines.’’
The Special Adviser urged residents ‘’to be uncompromising in exposing and reporting these potential spreaders of disease.
‘’They should not be allowed to spread sickness and make nonsense of the sacrifices the people of Kaduna State are making in enduring the tough but necessary measures announced to protect them,’’ he added.
Adekeye said that Standing Committee is aware of documented instances of police and paramilitary personnel that have been involved in illegal interstate travel, adding that ‘’this is unfortunate. ‘’
The Special Adviser further said that the fact that two policemen are among the 72 persons being treating for Covid-19, ‘’ should serve to remind everyone that nobody is immune from the virus,’’ the statement added.
‘’Citizens who suspect that they have been exposed to Covid-19, should act responsibly, avoid infecting others, contact health officials and isolate themselves until the authorities come to see them. Such persons are urged to readily volunteer all relevant information on their health, travel history and contacts,’’ he added.
The statement reminded the general public of the importance of hand-washing, personal hygiene, social distancing and the avoidance of large gatherings in helping protect all residents from Covid-19.
‘’Residents should wear face masks when leaving their homes and should wash their hands when they return home,’’ Adekeye advised.
According to him, ‘’keeping safe from this pandemic is the personal responsibility of every citizen. All of us must take steps to protect ourselves and our households from Covid-19.’’