The Zamfara State Government has debunked claims by the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) that it has recorded 10 new COVID-19 cases in the state, as announced on Monday by the centre.
The state government said it only recorded two new cases.
The State Commissioner of Health, Alhaji Yahaya Kanoma, told newsmen on Tuesday in Gusau said the state government had alerted the centre of the error and demanded that the matter be rectified.
“We were shocked and bewildered by this latest figure from the NCDC which said 10 new cases were confirmed when we know it was only two.
“Our records have shown that when results from the center returned, we had a total of 76 cases made up of 45 discharged persons, 26 in isolation and five dead, so we didn’t know where NCDC got the additional eight.
“We approached the center which could not give a convincing explanation, and so we demanded for a written apology which they promised to send as well as withdraw the media publicity that we had 10 new cases,” the commissioner said.
He said the state government had recently procured all the necessary tools and equipment to set up a COVID – 19 sample testing center and was waiting for facility visit by officials of the NCDC before the center can take off.
“This will save us from unnecessary delays, the risks of traveling to Sokoto daily as well as provide such services to our neighbouring states that require such services,” Kanoma pointed out.
