Kogi State government has alleged plans by certain vested interest to import the COVID-19 or declare fictitious cases in the state.
In a statement by the commissioner for information and communication, Mr Kingsley Fanwo, on Tuesday in Lokoja, the state government noted that certain development and moves from powerful quarters point to an “unholy conspiracy to declare COVID-19 in all states of the federation”.
Making reference to the case of an expatriate, who suspected that she had COVID-19 symptoms in the state but was declared free of the disease by the state officials, the state said it is on top of the game.
The team, which was said to have been led by the commissioner for health, Dr Saka Haruna to ascertained the suspect’s claim, noted that her case didn’t fit into the spectrum of criteria set by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) for actual or suspected COVID-19 cases requiring testing.
However, the expatriate insisted that her case be escalated to the NCDC for COVID-19 testing.
The state government said it viewed the lady’s insistence with suspicion.
“The Kogi State Government is genuinely suspicious of the motive behind her insistence, especially as we strongly suspect there are attempts to import the disease or declare fictitious cases in the State.
“In view of the fact that the State is one of only two states still COVID-19 free in Nigeria and having regard to recent pressures from some interesting quarters for it to find and declare cases of the disease, we are wary of an unholy conspiracy to declare COVID-19 in all states of the federation.
“It is therefore, pertinent to note that while the Kogi State Government will never conceal any real case of the novel coronavirus disease, if it occurs in the state, she will adhere strictly to NCDC guidelines to vehemently resist all attempts to manufacture false figures or cases of COVID-19 in Kogi State,” it noted.
It urged the people of the state to continue observing the recommended personal, environmental and respiratory hygiene protocols as recommended by both international and national regulatory authorities, while assuring the people of the commitment of Governor Yahaya Bello’s administration to protect and safeguard them from all forms of danger.
Meanwhile, a twitter user by the name Fisayo Soyombo @fisayosoyombo had alleged a cover up by the state government as it had no capacity to take care of patients of COVID-19.
In a series of tweets, he claimed at least four patients have died in the State in the past week with symptoms of COVID-19.
He said they were all denied the opportunity to be tested by the state government.
“On Saturday, a patient died at FMC, Lokoja, Kogi, after exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms.
“His samples weren’t taken.
“That was the 4th such death at the FMC last week alone.
“Not once was the patient’s samples taken, dead or alive. A familiar cover-up,” he posted on twitter.
See his series of tweets below:
On Saturday, a patient died at FMC, Lokoja, Kogi, after exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms. His samples weren’t taken.
That was the 4th such death at the FMC last week alone. Not once was the patient’s samples taken, dead or alive.
A familiar cover-up
1/17#fisayoscovid19series— ‘Fisayo Soyombo (@fisayosoyombo) May 5, 2020
March 22 was the first time this scenario occurred.
A patient who came into Kogi from Lagos required a CS. The patient exhibited COVID-19 symptoms, prompting the hospital to request for her to be tested. It was turned down.
The patient was isolated for some time…
2/17— ‘Fisayo Soyombo (@fisayosoyombo) May 5, 2020
…surgery was done and she was discharged without testing.
Last week, there were some patients in the O&G ward who manifested respiratory issues, inability to breathe and other COVID-19 symptoms.
Three of them died.
3/17— ‘Fisayo Soyombo (@fisayosoyombo) May 5, 2020
They’d come from private hospitals — one in Lokoja, another in Okene and the third in Ogudu.
The first of the trio, Mrs G.I. (her initials), a 43-year-old woman who arrived at the hospital on Thursday, had a temp of 38.8°C.
The other 2 had temperatures of more than 40°C.
4/17— ‘Fisayo Soyombo (@fisayosoyombo) May 5, 2020
In each case, no sample was taken before or after death.
Now, on the final day of the week, a patient admitted to the Accident and Emergency (A&E) Ward with a temp of 40.3°C was transferred to the male medical ward.
The patient spent 3 hours in the ward and then died.
5/17— ‘Fisayo Soyombo (@fisayosoyombo) May 5, 2020
One more patient exhibited potential COVID-19 symptoms on Sunday but moves for sample collection were futile; by yesterday, the patient was dead.
I’ve been told there are more suspected cases, but these were the ones I personally tracked.
6/17— ‘Fisayo Soyombo (@fisayosoyombo) May 5, 2020
Ideally, the FMC ought to notify the Ministry of Health of the need for sample collection if it suspects a case, but the ministry needs to secure the authorisation of the Incident Manager, that is the Commissioner for Health, who directly relates with the NCDC.
7/17— ‘Fisayo Soyombo (@fisayosoyombo) May 5, 2020
Why would the state govt want to hide COVID-19 cases? There may be many reasons but I’m sure of three, so far:
1. None of the 3 isolation centres — at SDG/FAREC Clinic, the Kogi State Diagnostics Centre & the Maimuna and Usman Yahaya Foundation Hospital — is ready for use.
9/17— ‘Fisayo Soyombo (@fisayosoyombo) May 5, 2020
2.I understand the state has no money to give the people as lockdown palliatives, should there be the need to restrict their movement. But many in Kogi aren’t asking for palliatives; they just want their salaries, which the government is making moves to halve.
12/17— ‘Fisayo Soyombo (@fisayosoyombo) May 5, 2020
3. For whatever reason, the state government believes the NCDC has politicised COVID-19 cases such that if samples are sent, they will automatically return +ve.
It is a reason that defies logic, actually, but it exists all the same.
15/17— ‘Fisayo Soyombo (@fisayosoyombo) May 5, 2020
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