The World Health Organisation (WHO) has pledged to support the Yobe government in tackling the spread of COVID-19 in the state.
Dr Richard Lako, WHO’s Emergency Manager, Northeast Nigeria, said this during the sensitisation of 60 health workers on risk communication in Damaturu, Yobe.
Represented by WHO’s Public Health Officer, Dr. Ibrahim Salisu, Lako, said the trainees would revive wearing of face masks and observance of personal hygiene, which were abandoned by many people in the state.
He advised residents to adhere strictly to all COVID-19 protocols as specified by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
He expressed concern that daily records of confirmed cases of the disease in the state indicated a possible community transmission.
“The Yobe state government, with support from World Health Organisation and Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, has significantly ramped up sample collection and testing across the state.
“Consequently, we have continued to see new confirmed cases of COVID-19, which is indicating an ongoing community transmission,” the manager said.
Lako said the state’s ministry of Health and WHO would continue to collaborate and lead the efforts to scale up COVID-19 response activities.
“Just yesterday we concluded the training of another 60 healthcare workers on COVID-19 Home Based Care and Infection Prevention and Control Programme,” Lako said.
