COVID-19: Death of Kogi-born medical doctor in Katsina sparks fear in his home state
By ATABOR JULIUS, Lokoja
The alleged death of a Kogi-born medical doctor working in Katsina state has elicited fears of an imminent outbreak of the virus in the state.
The medical doctor who was alleged to have died from the complications arises from Coronavirus was believed to have visited his country home at Okene for two weeks before proceeding to Katsina where he eventually died after he was confirmed positive to the virus.
This brings the number of death of Kogi indigene of COVID-19 to two since the outbreak of the deadly virus.
Recall that Engineer Suleiman Achimugu, a former Managing Director of Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC), who was an indigene of the state became the first victim when he tested positive to the virus and later died in March.
In a swift reaction, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Saka Haruna, has denied this claim, saying that the victim did not stop over in Okene as is being rumoured.
“There is a rumour making the rounds that one of our brothers from Kogi Central (a doctor) who died in Katsina State, and was later confirmed to be positive for COVID-19 had visited Kogi State en route Katsina (24/03/2020) from Lagos,” the Commissioner stated in a statement issued on Wednesday.
“Our independent investigation has revealed that this isn’t true. According to the deceased’s wife, brother and two other close family members, the deceased returned to Katsina from Lagos by air and did not pass through Kogi State, the Commissioner explained.
He said further: “He last visited Kogi State in February, 2020. We advise the general public to remain calm as we remain on high alert and at the top of every development in the State as it concerns COVID-19.
“We pray that God grants the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss and admit our dearly loved brother into Aljannah firdaus,” he said.
The Commissioner assured the people of Katsina of the State’s readiness to help to trace all contacts by collaborating with the deceased’s family.
“We also wish to assure the Government and good people of Katsina State that we stand with them in this trying time.
“The Commissioner for Health, Katsina state is a friend and a thorough professional, and we have no doubt in his ability to stem the tide.
“On our own, we will offer every assistance to the State by liaising with the deceased’s family to help in tracing all known contacts,” Haruna stated. (Daily Independent)
