‘Deceased at Kaduna isolation centre was wrongly quarantined’

Kaduna State Government has said that the 27-year-old man, who died in an isolation centre, was wrongly quarantined over suspected coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infection.

Tasiu Mohammed reportedly boarded a commercial vehicle from Ogun State and was dumped by other occupants of the vehicle along Western-Bypass in Kaduna because they suspected him to be a COVID-19 carrier.

Kaduna State Ministry of Health has issued an update on Mohammed, the distressed man in a viral video a few days ago.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Amina Mohammed-Baloni, said: “The 27-yearold had been sick for about three weeks before leaving Ogun for his hometown in Jigawa State.

“Given his sickly state, the vehicle he boarded dropped him at the Western Bye-pass in Kaduna. From there, he was taken to the Primary Health Centre in Hayin Bankin, where the viral video was recorded by people who thought that he might be a COVID-19 case.

“The patient was evacuated from Hayin Bankin to the isolation centre where he was assessed by the medical team, tested and his result returned negative for COVID-19. He was treated as a case of severe hypertension with acute pulmonary oedema. Unfortunately, he passed away at the isolation centre. His relatives were informed and they gave permission for him to be buried in Kaduna in view of the current restriction of movements.”

The Ministry of Health appealed to the Kaduna people to avoid spreading rumours, especially on social media, without ascertaining the facts.

“COVID-19 is a dangerous disease, but its appearance in our state has not abolished other diseases, including the chronic conditions that sadly afflict some of our compatriots.

“The Ministry of Health wishes to remind the general public of the importance of hand-washing, personal hygiene, social distancing and the avoidance of large gatherings in helping to protect us all from COVID-19. It is important to stay home, stay safe and save lives,” the commissioner added.