CoronaVirus Updates
Pall bearers who handled Abba Kyari’s burial in forced isolation
BY OUR EDITOR
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Abuja, is forcefully isolating the pall bearers who handled the corpse of President Muhammadu Buhari’s late Chief of Staff, Mallam Abba Kyari, in a burial that appeared to have been fraught with controversies.
Apart from the crowd which was way over 20, the limit for any public gathering where absolutely necessary, and which failed to maintain the required social distancing as prescribed by the NCDC protocol for the management of coronavirus, some of the pall bearers displayed a total lack of professionalism for such critical assignment.
In a video that has gone viral, one of the pall bearers was seen removing his protective wear in the full glare of the public at Gudu Cemetery, Abuja, without due regard for the established protocol in order to avoid contamination.
See Video:
Naturally, the video, just like the crowd, attracted a lot of condemnation from Nigerians who have become aware of the dangers presented by the coronavirus global pandemic.
But the Health and Human Services Secretariat of the FCT Administration in reaction to the vexed issue said it had noted with concern the video trending on social media, showing a man pulling off his Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) unprofessionally at the cemetery, after participating in the burial of the late Chief of Staff to the President who died Friday of coronavirus.
In a statement issued Saturday by Dr Mohammed Kawu, Ag Secretary Health and Human Services, the FCTA said: “The Public Health Department has since taken necessary action. The said PPE left over by the individual has been professionally evacuated and the entire cemetery has been decontaminated.
READ: Funke Akindele trends as Nigerians lambast FG, NCDC over Abba Kyari
“In addition, all the individuals including the man in question that participated in the burial and were not properly kitted have been identified and are being isolated.
“Necessary tests will be conducted on all of them to determine their level of exposure and ensure that they do not infect other people.
“The Administration has also taken steps to ensure that all future burials of victims of COVID-19 are conducted in line with protocols established by the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
“Residents are therefore urged to remain calm and rest assured that the FCT Administration will continue to do all that is necessary to curtail and eventually end the spread of the Coronavirus in the FCT.”