Video clip: Man not a Covid-19 patient—KDSG

The Kaduna State Ministry of Health has clarified the status of the man who was shown in a video clip that went viral, looking distress a few days ago, with various comments alleging that he was COVID-19 Positive.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Amina Mohammed Baloni said that 27 year old Tasiu Mohammed, was not suffering from coronavirus.

The Commissioner explained that Tasiu who left Ogun State for his home town in Jigawa State, suffered from severe hypertension with acute pulmonary oedema.

Dr Baloni revealed that doctors battled to save his life but he died in an isolation centre and has since been buried in Kaduna.

According to her, the man had been sick for about three weeks and was on transit to Jigawa state, when the vehicle he was traveling in dropped him off at the Western Bye-pass in Kaduna.

‘’From there, he was taken to the Primary Health Centre in Hayin Banki, where a video recording of him went viral, frightening people that he might be a Covid-19 case,’’ Dr Baloni said.

The Commissioner further said that the patient was evacuated ‘’to the isolation centre where he was assessed by the medical team, tested and his result returned negative for Covid-19.”

‘’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,’’ she added.

The commissioner appealed to people to avoid spreading rumours, without ascertaining 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, she argued.

Dr Baloni reiterated ‘’the importance of hand-washing, personal hygiene, social distancing and the avoidance of large gatherings in helping protect us all from Covid-19. It is important to stay home, stay safe and save lives.’’