Fear gripped the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) on Tuesday following the death of an official from reported COVID-19 complications.
It was gathered that the victim was earlier evacuated from the NYSC orientation camp in Kusala Dam, Karaye, about 95 kilometers from Kano metropolis after testing positive for the infection.
He was said to be the representative of the Director General and a Resident Officer (RO2) who was sent from the NYSC National Headquarters in Abuja to Kano State NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp.
A source, who revealed details of the incident to newsmen under condition of anonymity said that the RO2 was tested positive for COVID-19 at the facilities provided in the camp and was immediately taken to Kwanar Dawaki Isolation Centre where it was reported that he died a day after (Tuesday).
The source said they were all directed not to speak to the press about the matter, noting that the development has caused some uncertainty around the camp.
The sources, who said the fear of most of them was that although the man was discovered with the virus at the gate, “what of those he had interacted with that most likely tested negative that day because perhaps the virus had not shown in their system and now they have mingled with others.”
The NYSC staff was deployed from the headquarters to supervise the ongoing regimental orientation exercise expected to come to an end on February 8 in Kano.
Confirming the development, NYSC management in a statement sent to journalists, noted that the unnamed official was “on official assignment in Kano State for the 2020 Batch ‘B’ Stream 2 Orientation exercise where he was tested and confirmed positive at the gate leading to his evacuation to the isolation centres where he died.
“The Management of the NYSC regrets to announce the sad loss of our committed and dedicated staff while on official assignment in Kano State, for the 2020 Batch ‘B’ Stream 2 Orientation exercise.
“The officer was tested for COVID-19, as precondition for admittance to the Orientation camp, just like all other camp officials and prospective Corps Members in the 37 NYSC Orientation camps nationwide, as prescribed by the Presidential Task Force on COVID – 19 and Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, (NCDC).
“The test result was positive for the officer, and was subsequently moved to the Kano State Isolation Centre for proper care but unfortunately succumbed to the Virus.”
