Niger fears COVID-19 surge as 3 commissioners test positive

Three members of Niger state executive council have tested positive for coronavirus, triggering fears of possible resurgence of the pandemic in the state. The development has created tension among other members of the executive council and staff of the ministries concerned. COVID-19: NCDC inspects, certifies Osun NYSC camp ready to reopen COVID-19: Nigeria’s second wave […]

Three members of Niger state executive council have tested positive for coronavirus, triggering fears of possible resurgence of the pandemic in the state.

The development has created tension among other members of the executive council and staff of the ministries concerned.

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It was gathered that two of the commissioners reported to have tested positive are from the Niger south Senatorial zone while the third is said to be from Niger East senatorial district.

It was gathered that the discovery was made middle of last week when the affected commissioners showed symptoms of the disease.

According to the findings the three commissioners have already gone into isolation while a directive has been issued to others to present themselves for testing.

“All those that attended the last state executive council meeting including the supporting staff are to be tested” the source said.

The Chairman of the State Task Force on COVID-19 and Secretary to the state Government, Ahmed Ibrahim Matane, when contacted confirmed the story saying all the Commissioners have been directed to subject themselves to test.

Matane however said that some Commissioners that four of the Commissioners that have been tested have returned negative results adding that some of the commissioners are outside the state “but when they come in they must be tested”.

He ruled out the possibility of a spike in the disease pointing out, “We are not thinking of another lockdown, but we will continue to watch as things unfold.”

Matane advised the people of the state to always observe the COVID19 protocol to avoid further spread of the virus.