Bala Mohammed, The governor of Bauchi State has declared a total lockdown of Katagum, Giade and Zaki Local Government Areas following reports of deaths and community transmission which has increased the positive cases of COVID-19 to 181 in the state.
Governor Bala who addressed on Sunday that the total lockdown of the three LGAs was necessary to curtail the rapid community transmission, people are not adhering to guidelines in that axis, because there has been transaction going on between the people of Azare and Kano were the covid-19 pandemic is high,” Governor Mohammed declared.
Sofonews.ng reported that the decision followed additional cases of COVID-19 where 66 cases have tested positive for coronavirus today, 42 of which were from the Azare, the headquarters of Katagum LGA.
Bauchi State has a total of 181 cases of the virus, most of which according to the Governor were as a result of community transmission that was reported to have increased the number of confirmed cases.
He further said the lockdown which would last for a period of 10 days, would start on Tuesday, May 12, 2020 till Friday, May 22,2020.
The governor directed the State Deputy Governor Senator Baba Tela to relocate to Katagum axis to properly coordinate response that will ensure massive contact tracing and testing to enable the state government establish the actual number of people who contracted the disease.
“We mean business and we are serious, that is why I asked the Deputy Governor to relocate to Katagum while I take charge at the centre. I had a conversation with the commissioner of Police to ensure total compliance.
“We have already contacted the traditional leaders in the 3 LGAs and we have obtained their buy-in,” he added.
The governor also directed the committee on palliatives to ensure that the people of the affected LGAs are supported with food items to ease hardship during the lockdown.
Regarding the actual number of people that have died in Azare as reported in some section of the media, Governor Mohammed said “it’s 150 people that have died in the last 30 days, and not 300 people as reported in the media.”
The governor also said the state government will fumigate the 3 local government areas during the lockdown, which he hopes will reduce the reported community transmission.
Mohammed also appealed to the Jos testing centre at Vom to help Bauchi state intensify testing and timely release of results pending when the state’s test centre will be ready.
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