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Twenty-one members of a household in Jos North local government of Plateau State have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the state, as of yesterday, to 76.
  
In an interview with journalists, yesterday, Management Committee Chairman of Jos North local government, Hon. Shehu Bala Usman, said the council’s meagre resources that would have benefitted the people had been diverted to stop the spread of the dreaded virus, which he described as unfortunate.
  
Usman said Jos North, being a cosmopolitan local government, is one of the biggest local governments in the state.
     
He said: “These days, COVID-19 has become a thing of serious concern here. The whole of Plateau State has about 70 confirmed cases and Jos North alone has 21 confirmed cases in just one household. We are now thinking of community transmission. In Jos North, we have taken some drastic steps. One of these is community enlightenment. I have called together community leaders, particularly those in the affected areas.”
   
He explained that the COVID-19 committee in the state had been extended to the 17 local governments. “Every ward is having a COVID-19 community awareness committee. This is because a ward in Jos North can compare to some other local councils, in terms of population.
  
“I have instructed that even in a ward, subcommittees should also be created within the various lanes, so that we have a unit, and have very nice communication for enlightenment to flow down to the grassroots.”
    
Usman said it was unfortunate that some Nigerians still don’t believe that Coronavirus exists, despite the fatal blows it is dealing on a global economy.
    
He disclosed that he has equally engaged spiritual leaders in the fight against the virus so that they can also add their voice to why the “unbelievers” can see clearly beyond emotion and sentiments.
    
The chairman said the fate of Jos North, and by implication, Plateau State rests squarely on the border areas. “I have identified about seven trenches in the border areas that have been dug. It is unfortunate that when you go there in the morning, you will see that those trenches have been filled up and you see the marks of cars moving over them overnight,” he said.