Chairman of Borno State high powered committee on coronavirus Response Team, Alhaji Umar Kadafur, who is also the Deputy Governor, has warned of the danger and serious consequences the continued violation of the rules and regulations on the prevention and control of the virus can bring on the state.
He expressed regret at the contempt exhibit by most people in the state for the rules and directives of the committee on prevention of COVID-19.
The Deputy Governor, who was speaking in Maiduguri, while briefing the press on the update of the coronavirus in the state, pointed out the virus is real and warned that doubting this could be very dangerous.
He likened the existence of the virus to the Book Haram, when at the onset of the insurgency, most people were of the view that terrorists were after a particular group of people, but later turned out to be enemies of all.
The chairman warned that should people continue to violate the rules with impunity, the option of wielding the big stick will become inevitable, stressing that government would not fold its arms and watch the situation deteriorates.
Umar announced that another Isolation centre would soon be established to complement the existing one in the state capital.
Also speaking, Secretary of the COVID 19 Response Team, who is also the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Salisu Kwayabura, explained that efforts were being intensified to contain the virus within the five local government councils in the state that are infected.
The local government councils affected are Biu, Dikwa, Maiduguri Metropolitan, Gwoza and Jere.
He stated that so far 16 health workers had been infected in the state, adding those that tested positive and in the isolation centres were responding positively.
He disclosed that Biu town would soon have an Isolation centre to take care of infected persons in the zone.
Salisu charged the people to imbibe the use of face mask and observe social distancing, regular washing of hands and hygiene as safe approach to preventing the coronavirus.
He added that the surveillance and contact tracing teams are being expanded in terms of personnel to meet the challenges.
Speaking on the same occasion, Commissioner for Information and Home Affairs, Alhaji Babakura Abba Jato, who is also a member of the state’s COVID-19 Response Team, commended journalists covering the activities relating to the pandemic for their selflessness and commitment to the cause of humanity.
He, however, challenged them to brace for the challenges ahead.
With regards to the violators of the rules for prevention of the virus, Jato indicated that should this persist, the big stick would have to apply and the culprits sanctioned.
The commissioner reminded members of the public that COVID-19 is not a death sentence, as many who got infected have been cured.
He warned, saying, “If you hide your sickness, your sickness will hide you.”
