COVID-19: Gov. Ishaku Urges Tarabans Not to Panic

Covid -19: Governor Ishaku’s Statewide Broadcast

Tarabs Governor, Darius Ishaku on Monday called on the people of Taraba not to panic following the confirmation of six cases of COVID-19 in the State by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

In a state wide broadcast to the people of the State, Ishaku assured that government was on top of the situation.

According to him, his administration has since the confirmation of the cases deployed dditional manpower and resources to trace contacts of all those that have tested positive to the virus.

The Governor noted that the six cases were among the 130 interstate travelers from Bauchi, Kano, Jigawa, Borno, Ogun and Lagos states intercepted at borders of the State and were being quarantined at the NYSC Orientation camp at Sibre, near Jalingo.

“Since the outbreak of the virus in the country, we took a number of preventive steps such as the closure of our land borders with neighbouring states as well as the international boundary with the Republic of Cameroon.

“We also step up advocacy and closed temporarily places of worship, schools, markets and other public places that attract large crowds.

“Let me assure you that we are prepared, having already identified two treatment centers located at the State Specialist Hospital, Jalingo and the Federal Medical Center also in Jalingo with the combined capacity to handle 22 cases.

“We are in the process of completing a one hundred bed capacity isolation center with the assistance of Access Bank. Tarabans should therefore be rest assured that their protection is paramount and government will do all within its powers to checkmate widespread of the virus.”

The Governor who commended the proactive steps of the committee which led to the isolation and identification of the reported cases called on the people to adhere to universally accepted preventive measures such as regular washing of hands, use of sanitizers, social distancing and avoidance of handshakes to check the spread of the virus.

Ishaku who said he was not unmindful of the challenges being faced by the people as a result of the lockdown, however said government will do everything possible to ameliorate the suffering of those that may be adversely affected by the lockdown.

This is even as he directed security agencies to ensure that interstate travelers are prevented from coming into the State and that those who are already in the State stay at home.