By Adeniyi Adedeji
A returnee from Lagos State to Kwara State with COVID-19 infection has died, making him the first fatality of the pandemic in the state.
Meanwhile, the wife of the deceased and a child, who came to the state with him had tested positive and are now quarantined at the state isolation centre, Ilorin.
The deceased, who had since been buried at the weekend was said to have taken ill in Lagos, before deciding to come home with his family.
His ailment was said to have resulted in a stroke while in Lagos.
Chief Press Secretary to the state governor, Rafiu Ajakaiye, who announced the development said, “Before his death, the government had treated him, his wife and their child as suspected cases and samples were taken from them. The results of their samples came back positive.
“Unfortunately, he died early Saturday morning, even before the family got to know about their COVID-19 status. He has been buried accordingly.
“Everyone involved in the burial has now had their samples taken and because of the peculiarity of this development, the Rapid Response Team has moved in to bring all those involved into the isolation centre, including the wife and the child.”
He urged the citizens to see COVID-19 for what it is; a deadly and highly contagious virus that requires adherence to all safety protocols, including obeying the lockdown order.
He added, “We repeat that there is no shame or blame in contracting the virus as this is a global pandemic from which no one is immune.”
Meanwhile, four new positive cases of the pandemic, said to be among those who had sneaked into the state from the states in the North Western axis of the country and intercepted in Kwara have been announced.
This brings the total COVID-19 cases in Kwara State to 28; out of which 19 are said to be active while 9 have been treatred and discharged. All the active cases are asymptomatic.
