COVID-19: Sokoto records 8 positive cases, intensifies contact tracing

By Ado Hassan, Sokoto
NO fewer than Eight fresh positive cases of the COVID-19 pandemic have been recorded in Sokoto state, seat of the caliphate as it intensifies contact tracing to tame spread.
The development is on the heels of the test being carried out on the second contact index case to determine status.
 Dr. Muhammadu Ali Inname , Commissioner of Health disclosed at an emergency press briefing held at the Auditorium Hall of the Umaru ali Shinkafi Polytechnic, Sokoto, as part of update on the ravaging pandemic in the state.
He said the new cases were traced to the first index case, adding that ” we are able to race 32 contacts to he first I dex it of which 28 were tested accordingly.”
According to him” 8 tested positive out of the 28 with others returns as negative status. But it will interest all to know that the health workers in contact with the first index case were also subjected to test and results came out negative. 
” This is a good news. I will also urge the health workers to remain resilient and maintain standards not only on COVID-19 pandemic cases but other deadly diseases as well”, he further appealed.
Inname however, called on residents not to be panicked as the State Task Force which he heads as chairman was on top of its responsibility and mandate  to trace and unravel all contacts of any positive case of the virus as was done in first index case.
Hitherto, the Commissioner disclosed that contacts to the second index case had been traced to a total of 38 for onward and immediate test accordingly.
Inname further confirmed that the first two cases were responding to treatment   adding that their samples would soon be taken for further round of test to determine their latest status.
In he same vein, he reiterated with a call on residents to abide by the regulations of government with regards to the use of masks and hand sanitizers regularly, stay at home as well  social distancing as basic and necessary measures to curtail the spread of the pandemic.
He commended the Sultanate council under the responsive leadership of Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar towards curtailing COVID-19 spread in the state and Nigeria