Over 50 Almajiris Infected With Coronavirus In Jigawa

Jigawa state government says half of the 113 cases confirmed in the state are Almajiris repatriated from other states.

The state on Sunday confirmed 33 fresh cases with 16 being Almajiris brought into the state from Kano.

The state COVID-19 taskforce chairman, Abba Zakari disclosed that the total COVID-19 cases in the state increased to 116 with 60 of them being almajiris who returned from Kano.

Jigawa State had earlier sent 607 samples of the returned almajiris for testing. A total of 279 results are out, including 60 positive ones, Mr Zakari said while addressing journalists.

Mr Zakari announced a total lockdown of Ringim Local Government Area from Monday midnight to ensure adequate contact tracing as a high number of the infections were from the council.

Almajiris are children sent to live with their Islamic teachers while learning about the religion. Majority of them end up as street children where they beg for survival.