COVID 19: FG, Kano Govt Differ Over Strange Deaths

By Tosin Olatokunbo

The federal government has blamed the mass deaths in Kano state to the corona virus, contrary to the suggestion of the Governor Abdullahi Ganduje-led administration.

The state has the highest number of corona virus positive persons after Lagos in the country.

Sani Gwarzo, national coordinator of the Presidential Task Force, PTF on COVID-19 disclosed this on Sunday in Kano while speaking with journalists..

Gwarzo spoke during the official presentation and handing over of the mobile testing laboratory the Aliko Dangote Foundation donated to the state government.

The state had earlier blamed the deaths on some strange ailment but said COVID 19 was not responsible.

No fewer than 200 persons, including seven professors have already died from the corona virus complications.

The number of deaths has been on the rise since April as the state struggle to contain the spread of the pandemic.

The PTF coordinator, who also lost his father to the virus, said investigation had shown that COVID-19 is responsible for some of the deaths.

According to him “Let me inform us that most of the deaths recorded of recent and test carried out showed that coronavirus was the cause,” he said.

So, before the final report which would be ready in the next one week or few days, it is necessary for people of Kano to wake up from their slumber that this is a serious issue.”

He said all hands are now on deck to assist the state to contain the virus from spreading further.

Gwazo stated that “We need to know what is happening we are successful in identifying what the problems are and secondly we are happy on the level of cooperation the private sector and other stake holders.

Many people have come out to support the state we cannot expand our investigation until we are certain.”

“We have five cogent reasons to say that the mass death recorded in Kano is associated with coronavirus.”

He explained that NCDC findings linking the deaths to the virus cannot be denied.

He said some factors such the age of the deceased persons, concentration of the people in one place proved that the deceased died from COVID 19 complications.