Gombe to start COVID-19 genetic sequencing

On Jul 21, 2021

The Gombe State Government said it planned to start genetic sequencing to ascertain the COVID-19 variants in the state.

The Deputy Governor of Gombe State, Dr. Manassah Jatau during the presentation of packs of facemasks to Muslim groups for the Eid-el Kabir celebration in Gombe said genetic sequencing would also help confirm if the Delta variant of the viral pandemic was in the state.

He stated that the items donated would help the groups towards ensuring that COVID-19 protocols are complied with.

“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.

The 18 rapid response teams in the state are on standby to respond to suspected and confirmed cases of COVID-19.

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.

He revealed that the state has also conducted over 53,225 tests since the beginning of the pandemic.

All those that have returned from either India, UK, and Brazil as they come we will visit them to do genetic sequencing.

“We have been testing but we have not been doing sequencing, genetic sequencing to know if there is Delta variant in the state.

“This is the beginning of the pandemic we have tested 53,225 and 2,0114 tested positive, 2,058 have been managed and discharged.

“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,” Dahiru added.

Kamila/Punch