No fewer than 16 almajirai have tested positive to the coronavirus [Covid-19] disease in Kaduna State, an official have said.

Kaduna’s Health Commissioner, Dr Amina Mohammed-Baloni, on Thursday, said the 16 almajirai were recently repatriated from Kano State.

He added that the 16 were part of 40 persons whose test results were released.

According to the commissioner, these latest cases have raised the number of active Covid-19 cases in Kaduna State from nine to 25.

She, however, said one of the 17 cases announced by NCDC was a repeat test from an existing patient and that their attention had been drawn to it and it would be remedied.

She noted that the high number of positive results from persons with travel history from outside the state confirmed the state government’s fears about the danger of infection from neighbouring states.

The commissioner said,

“The Kaduna State Ministry of Health has confirmed the sad news that there are 16 new Covid-19 cases in the state.

“These new cases are almajiris who came from Kano.

“As part of the implementation of the preventive measures, our health officials are monitoring suspected Covid-19 cases who are believed to have sneaked into the state despite the ban on interstate travel.

“The Ministry of Health wishes to draw attention to the appeal the State Standing Committee on Covid-19 has made to the security agencies to accelerate the blocking of entry points into the state.

“Effective enforcement of the prohibition of entry into Kaduna State as outlined in the Quarantine Orders is clearly a key success factor in efforts to avert the nightmare scenario of community transmission.

“We wish to draw the attention of the public to the provisions of the Quarantine Orders and the penalties for any willful contravention.

“We appeal to the public to be vigilant and to kindly report returnees from states with high infection rates by contacting officials of the Ministry of Health.

“We also encourage such persons to contact the ministry officials so that they can be monitored. Failure to do so may make such persons liable to the processes prescribed for violators in the Quarantine Orders.

“We wish the new cases speedy recovery as they receive the usual high standards of care from our medical professionals.”

Meanwhile, the commissioner said the ministry welcomes the approval granted by the government for occupational safety incentive for “frontline health workers as well as the provision of enhanced life and disability insurance packages.”

She also reminded the residents of the importance of “hand-washing, personal hygiene, social distancing and the avoidance of large gatherings in helping protect us all from Covid-19. It is important to stay home, stay safe and save lives.”