Muhammad Garba
In what appears as second wave of coronavirus pandemic, Jigawa state has order for closure of schools as 29 Nigerian Youth Corps Members (NYSC) were tested Covid-19 positive in the state.
This has come barely four months after the last case of the virus was recoded in the state when two out of the three isolation centres were closed.
The Permanent Secretary (PS) State Ministry of Health and also Secretary of Covid-19 State Taskforce Committee, Dr. Salisu Mu’azu revealed this while briefing newsmen in Dutse
He said, 15 out of 150 batch ‘B’ stream 2, NYSC members posted to Jigawa have been tested positive of the covid-19 virus after being subjected to the compulsory test on entry into the camp.
Dr Muazu noted that this is in addition to the earlier case of 14 Corps members that were reported to have contacted the virus while 8 of the patients have been in the state isolation centres after they were tested positive in the last NYSC batch.
The PS however revealed that the state governor Muhammad Badaru Abubakar has directed for the immediate reactivation of all the 3 isolation centres to begin the preparation to receive patients.
Dr Muazu added that there is likelihood that number of cases may increase as the NYSC members continue to arrive at the camp.
He said already efforts are being made to trace those who came in contact with the victims with a view to isolate them in accordance with the covid-19 protocol.
The PS also warned that, if the public fails to keep observing Covid-19 public safety protocol and the cases continue to increase, the state government would not be hesitant to impose another round of lockdown.
In a statement issued by acting PS, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Rabiu Adamu said the state government has directed for immediate closure of all public and private schools in the state.
The statement which was made available to our source in Dutse, said all primary and secondary schools should be closed from 15 December 2020 until further notice.
Even though no reason was given for the schools’ closure ahead of its slated public holiday but it might not be unconnected to the second wave of coronavirus pandemic in the state.
