The Gombe State Government says it planned to start genetic sequencing to ascertain the COVID-19 variants in the state.
Genetic sequencing, the state government said, would also help confirm if the Delta variant of the viral pandemic was in the state
The Deputy Governor of Gombe State, Dr. Manassah Jatau during the presentation of packs of facemasks to Muslim groups for last week Eid-el Kabir celebration in Gombe.
Speaking during the presentation to some notable Muslim groups which include Jamatu Nasril Islam on Monday, D.r Jatau, warned about the rising cases of COVID-19 infections and hospitalisations, noting that people of the state also need to be more careful now that the Delta variant has been discovered in the country.
He stated that the items donated would help the groups towards ensuring that COVID-19 protocols are complied with.
Jatau said, “We urge religious and traditional leaders as well as the general public to be mindful of the potential for a wider spread of the COVID-19 virus during this period.
“We recommend the following preventive measures for a safe celebration: observance of physical distancing, proper use of facemasks in gatherings, frequent hand hygiene, and as much as possible, we want our people to minimise indoor and or large gatherings.
“The coordinating committee on COVID-19 response felicitates with Muslim Ummah on the occasion of eid-el-Kabir celebrations. It is a period where believers all over the world congregate to offer supplication to Almighty Allah.”
Jatau added, “The 18 rapid response teams in the state are on standby to respond to suspected and confirmed cases of COVID-19.”
Also speaking, The State Incident Manager, who doubles as the Commissioner for Health; Dr. Habu Dahiru said over 44 persons have so far died due to coronavirus-related cases, adding that the state is yet to commence genetic sequencing to know if there is Delta or otherwise.
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He revealed that the state has also conducted over 53,225 tests since the beginning of the pandemic.
“We have been testing but we have not been doing sequencing, genetic sequencing to know if there is Delta variant in the state.
“All those that have returned from either India, UK, and Brazil as they come we will visit them to do genetic sequencing.
“This is the beginning of the pandemic we have tested 53,225 and 2,0114 tested positive, 2,058 have been managed and discharged,” he said.
Dahiru added, “At the moment we have 11 active cases but all the cases are managed at home because they have not presented any major symptom warranting admission into ICU or isolation centre.
“We have recorded 44 deaths since the beginning of the pandemic in Gombe.
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