Residents of Kano are living in palpable fear after the state recorded 21 cases and one death of COVID-19 within the span of four days.
Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje had on Saturday, April 11 announced the state’s first coronavirus case, and by Wednesday, April 15, the number had skyrocketed to 21.
The first case involved a 75 year old former ambassador, the governor said on his Twitter handle.
The Kano State Ministry of Health via its twitter handle @KNSMOH announced the death recorded in the state on Wednesday. The identity of the deceased patient was however not revealed.
Ganduje said “We documented 12 new cases of COVID-19 yesterday in our great state of Kano. It is now more important than ever for everyone to rally together from the safety of our homes to make sure we contain the threat as we have also recorded our first COVID-19 death. Please stay at home.”
Some residents who spoke on the spread of the virus in Kano called on the state government to make sure the lockdown imposed on the state is not compromised.
“You know Kano is a highly populated state, so the government should make sure that people are made to stay at home and observe all the protocols,” Yahuza Salisu, a resident of ‘Yankaba, said.
Another resident, Usman Abdullahi, who lives in Hotoro, said the state government should come to the aid of the people who mostly have to go out to get what to eat.
“If people are hungry, there is a limit to how long you can force them to remain at home,” Abdullahi added.
Kano suspends Friday congregational prayers
Meanwhile, religious scholars in Kano have endorsed the decision of Kano State government to suspend jumuah (Friday congregational) prayers in the state to stop the spread of COVID-19.
The scholars met at the Africa House on Thursday under the emergency committee on coronavirus set up by Governor Ganduje.
The seven-day lockdown declared by the state starts today.
Dr. Ibrahim Mu’azzam Mai Bushira announced the position of the scholars.
