'No Case Of Corona Virus In Taraba But Stay At Home'
Gov Ishaku To Ban Religious Gathering, Stops Entry into State
Taraba Truth and Facts Report
The Covid 19 technical committee constituted by Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku has debunked claims of a patient with signs of Coronavirus in Serti Gashaka local government area. The chairman of the committee, Dr Innocent Vakkai stated this while briefing newsmen shortly after the committee meeting in Jalingo.
He said the test conducted by medical experts shows the patient suffers from Malaria fever, saying though his sample has equally been taken to Abuja for further tests.
Dr.Vakkai reiterated the readiness of the committee to ensure it do all it takes to stop the spread of Coronavirus in the state.
Also Taraba Truth and Facts gathered that there was no suspected case of the pandemic in Zing Local Government contrary to messages being circulated on social media.
However, Benue State has recorded one index case of coronavirus. Governor Samuel Ortom, said two samples were taken to National Centre for Disease and Control (NCDC). While that of Susan Okpe was proved positive, the other was negative.
Ortom explained that so far, eight persons that were traced to have had contact with the index case were already quarantined at one of the centres and more were being traced for tracking.
Consequently, the governor has ordered that all markets, social gatherings and churches across the state be shut down by tomorrow, and advised the people to stockpile food stuff and stay indoors for safety.
Taraba State Governor, Darius Ishaku has banned travels in and out of the state with effect from Sunday, 29th March, 2020 until further notice.
The decision to close the state's land borders was taken as part of continued efforts by the state government to protect the residents from the spread of the dreaded corona virus.
The commissioner of police and the commandant of National security and Civil Defence Corps have been directed to ensure strict compliance.
A member of the Covid-19 Committee and Executive Director Taraba State Primary Healthcare Board, Aminu Jauro Hassan has urged the people to follow all preventive measures in combatting the spread of the virus.
"We have not recorded any case of Corona Virus in the state but our people must take all measures outline to stop the spread, they should wash their hands regularly, maintain social distance and stay at home if possible."
Meanwhile following the partial lockdown of the state as a result of the novel COVID-19 global pandemic, the Taraba State government has concluded plans to hire water tankers and deploy them to local government headquarters to supply water to the people of the State in the hinterlands where access to portable water is a challenge.
The General Manager, Taraba Water and Sewerage Corporation, Engr. Buba Siem said that this was part of measures taken by the state government to mitigate the impact of the partial and probably, total lock down to forestall the outbreak of the pandemic in the state.
"This is part of the decision taken recently during a stakeholders' meeting on how to respond to a total shutdown should the virus get to the state.
"A technical committee has been put in place to address the concern of stakeholders and I can assure you that this decision is already on the table because people will need more water when they are forced to stay at home."
He announced that 29 sanitation facilities have been put in place so far to check open defecation and called on the public to make good use of toilet facilities and other infrastructure for a clean environment and a healthy society.
Mr. Julius Butu, Director, Taraba State Environmental Protection Agency (TEPA), on his part said efforts were being put in place to ensure the environmental cleanliness of the state to mitigate the spread of airborne diseases.
"The ministry of environment will unbundle waste management to ensure that private sector comes in to help in enlightening the people about waste management as government alone can not effectively manage waste given the increase growth in the population," he said.
On his part, Mr. Boniface Koson the CEO of Youth Progressive Association in Taraba (TYPA) said the media chat was aimed at tracking progress being made by the State in terms of water supply and sanitation especially at the time the people were being advised to stay at home for fear of COVID-19.
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