The COVID-19 test results for Governor Abdul Razaq Abdul Rahman of Kwara State and his deputy Kayode Alabi have returned negative.
The Chief of Staff of Mr AbdulRahman, Aminu Logun, has recently died of COVID-19 complications, leaving some of his assistants positive for the viral respiratory disease.
In a statement sent to this newspaper on Monday, the governor’s spokesperson, Rafiu Ajakaye, said that both officials had undergone a negative virus test.
He added that a few government employees have tested positive and are being treated at the state’s infectious disease center.
Mr. Ajakaye also declared that the government is troubled by rising cases in the state and will spare no effort to flatten the curve and protect the people.
He said the government will meet with the leadership of the Muslim community on Wednesday, July 22, to discuss the upcoming Eid-ul-Adha — a time of mass gathering and celebration — and decide on the best way to curb further spread of the virus.
“This Wednesday July 22nd, the government will meet with the leadership of the Muslim community in the state under his Eminence the Emir of Ilorin to decide on the safest and best approaches ahead of the Eid-ul-Adha (ileya) which tentatively holds on 31st July, 2020. The outcome of that dialogue shall be made public and enforced accordingly.”
In the meantime, residents have been advised to always use face masks in public areas, maintain physical distances or stay indoors from Friday, July 24.
The Government added that violators of the new Directive face arrest and prosecution on 31 July under the Kwara State Infectious Diseases Regulations 2020.
At the time this report was filed, 585 reported cases of COVID-19 had been reported by the State.
Of these, 367 are active, while 204 have since been successfully handled and discharged to join their families.
The state also reported 14 deaths.
