After discharging all 101 isolated COVID-19 patients, Sokoto state is currently free from the deadly virus.
This was disclosed by the state’s commissioner for health, Dr Ali Inname after he opened up that the North Western state recorded 14 Coronavirus deaths at a news conference.
He said the first index case was recorded on April 19 with 731 samples collected, while 655 contacts completed a 14 day follow up.
Inname explained that the Sokoto State Taskforce Committee on COVID-19 which he heads, received 839 alerts from across the state and that all of them were investigated. He added that the patients were from eight local government areas of the state.
Men constituted 85 per cent of the patient population, while women made up the remaining 24 per cent.
The commissioner who advised residents of the state to observe safety guidelines to curb the spread of Coronavirus, said that the committee’s activities would continue as many test results were still pending.
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus.
Most people infected with the COVID-19 virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer are more likely to develop serious illness.
The best way to prevent and slow down transmission is be well informed about the COVID-19 virus, the disease it causes and how it spreads. Protect yourself and others from infection by washing your hands or using an alcohol based rub frequently and not touching your face.
The COVID-19 virus spreads primarily through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose when an infected person coughs or sneezes, so it’s important that you also practice respiratory etiquette (for example, by coughing into a flexed elbow).
