Mysterious deaths: 255 died of coronavirus-related cases in Kano

The Kano state government has confirmed that 255 people were believed to have died from coronavirus-related cases between April and May in the state.

The state government yesterday received a report of verbal autopsy conducted to determine the cause of the ‘mysterious’ deaths in the state.

• Coronavirus kills 587 persons in Kano in 5wks – FG
• Experts’ report confirms Daily Trust story on Kano deaths

According to the report presented to Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, 15.9 per cent of the deaths were related to coronavirus.

The report conflicted with the figures presented by the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire last week which suggested that between 50-60 per cent of the deaths were due to COVID-19 pandemic.

Elated Ganduje while receiving the report said the report had put to rest hypothesis, potentialities, and expectations of those who never wished Kano well.

According to him, “the report of the Federal government showing 60 per cent dying from COVID-19 lacks all the variables, lacks correlations, it did not pass the time of basic validity and reliability, signifying nothing and misleading everybody.”

He said he was personally going to take the report to President Muhammadu Buhari, the Secretary-General of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha, and the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire.

The verbal autopsy report, according to the lead researcher, Professor Mukhtar Gadanya of Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, suggested that 255 people were believed to have died from coronavirus-related cases.

He said 70 per cent of the deaths were on medication for different illnesses including hypertension, diabetes, and many other terminal diseases.

He said 60 per cent of the deaths were males while 40 per cent represents females.

The report suggested that 76 per cent of the deaths were aged above 50, adding that the said mysterious deaths had its peak around April with 121 persons.

The report further added that 1,774 people actually died on April 1st and May 2nd 2020 at the 8 Metropolitan Local Government Areas of the state.

It said 1004 of the deceased died from fever, 59 shortness of breath, while 69 from various complications, while 567 had no fever at all.