Bauchi Assembly rejects closure of religious houses, Taraba, Gombe, Kebbi discharge 23 COVID-19 patients

Kogi procures 5,000 test kits
Bauchi State House of Assembly has rejected the closure of religious houses in the state to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) by Governor Bala Mohammed on April 26.

The Majority Leader, Aliyu Tijjani, brought the matter to the floor of the House yesterday and said that his constituency, Katagum, had suffered the virus more than any other part of the state – having more than 80 of the 200 cases.

He, therefore, called for robust synergy between the executive and legislative arms in curbing the disease.

A member, Dan’umma Bello, wondered why residents were allowed to stock food items on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, but are not allowed to worship in their religious houses.

At last, respite came the way of no fewer than six COVID-19 patients in Taraba State, as they were discharged from the isolation centres after testing negative on two different occasions.

Leadership of the technical committee on COVID-19, who made this known to journalists in Jalingo yeasterday, said the six patients were among the 17 cases so far recorded in the state.

Also, Gombe State Task Force on COVID-19 says additional 13 persons have been discharged from its isolation centres.

Chairman of the task force, Prof. Idris Mohammed, disclosed this during the committee’s daily briefing in Gombe yesterday, adding that the state had so far discharged 72 patients.

Similarly, Kebbi State has recorded another success in its dogged and sustained fight against the pandemic, following the discharge of four additional patients at the isolation centre in Kebbi Medical Centre, Kalgo.

The Task Force Chairman on COVID-19, Alhaji Jafar Muhammed, confirmed the discharge of the patients yesterday in Birnin Kebbi.

Meanwhile, Kogi State Government has acquired 5,000 antigen base test kits for COVID-19, assuring the people of the government’s preparedness to ensure that the disease is contained in the state.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Saka Haruna, made this known during a demonstration of some of the test kits before journalists in Lokoja.

He disclosed that Kogi was expecting the second batch of the COVID-19 test kits and assured the people of their commitment to save their lives.