By; FUNMI ADERINTO, Kaduna
The Kaduna State Ministry of Health has reiterated that every resident should assume utmost personal responsibility as the Christmas celebrations begin, given the persistence of COVID-19 virus.
In a statement signed by the Commissioner of Health, Dr Amina Mohammed Baloni, the ministry advised residents to adhere strictly ‘’with prevention protocols such as wearing facemasks, observing physical distance as much as possible, washing hand regularly with soap and running water, or using sanitisers, avoiding crowded spaces, especially indoors, and practising respiratory hygiene.’’
‘’ These non-pharmaceutical measures can be safely and easily practiced to reduce the risk of infection, severe illness, and fatalities. Places of worship, recreation, restaurants, shops event centres and hotels are reminded to kindly prioritize compliance with public health protocols,’’ she added.
The commissioner who wished residents a happy and safe holidays, reminded that ‘’Covid-19 remains a dangerous virus, with many mutations, that are putting fresh pressures on public health systems across the world.’’
‘’The Kaduna State Covid-19 Taskforce has since the latter half of 2020 decided that the preventive management of the pandemic in the state had to be based on citizens exercising personal responsibility in the safe pursuit of livelihoods, worship, travel, recreation and other aspects of everyday life. This continues to be the case.
‘’The state has also launched a campaign of mass vaccination to increase the number of citizens that have taken the approved Covid-19 vaccines. Already, more than 450,000 residents have received at least one vaccine dose, but this number needs to grow to increase immunity levels and help reduce the risk of severe illness when infection occurs,’’ she maintained.
According to her, residents should ‘’ visit primary and secondary health centres and designated private hospitals to get these vaccines. ‘’
‘’Citizens that have taken their first two doses of the vaccine are eligible for booster jabs six months after their second dose of AstraZeneca vaccination. The vaccines are free of charge and anyone who asks members of the public for payment under any guise should be reported to the authorities,’’ she added.
