Sequel to the upsurge in the casualty rate of COVID-19 pandemic in Kano, Governor Abdullah Umar Ganduje yesterday challenged traditional institution to lead campaign on Compliance to safety protocols and preventive measures at the grassroot.
Ganduje’s admonition came when casualty rate of the virus in Kano reached to 17 in less than two months just as the new positive cases recorded between 14th November 2020 to 17th January, 2021, hit 827.
He gave the advise while addressing traditional leaders on the devasting impact of the second wave of the virus and the need for proactive action.
Ganduje, who extolled the role of traditional institution as agent of change, reminded the need to engage leaders to stimulate public consciousness at the grassroot on the reality of COVID-19.
The governor cited non-compliance of safety protocols and deliberate refusal of positive cases to isolate or relocate to isolation facilities as being responsible for the upsurge in the number of confirmed cases.
The governor said government will not hesitate to reintroduce border check and subjecting anyone with symptoms to isolation facilities.
” No doubt, COVID-19 is back again and we are equally ready for it. We have noticed people are not ready to comply with safety measures but we are ready to deploy security agents to enforce compliance.
“Already, all our health facilities have been reactivated and sample collecting centres are working at uptimum level. We would continue to encourage compulsory use of face mask, social distancing and hygiene”.
Emir of Kano, Alh. Aminu Ado Bayero, who spoke on behalf of the five Kano emirates, pledged the readiness of the traditional fathers to drive the campaign effectively.
Emir Bayero, however, urged government to reintroduce palliative measures to ease the economic harsh in the society.
Presenting update on the emergency response on COVID-19, deputy Coordinator of the team, Dr. Shuiab Sabitu explained that the second surge of the virus is assuming more devastating tendencies.
Dr Dabitu noted that the prevalence in positive cases indicated 14 percent increase while lamenting poor compliance to safety protocols and preventive measures in public places.
” Our major challenge is poor public compliance to protocols, low risk perception as well as lack of cooperation by confirmed cases o self isolated themselves and even denied being taken to isolation facilities.
He identified local government areas including Nassarawa 624, Taruni 499, Municipal 286 and Gwale 248 cases among other with high prevalence.
