CORONAVIRUS: FCT to convert Zuba General Hospital to isolation centre

In a bid to provide more more space for patients of the dreaded Coronavirus, the Administration of the Federal Capital Territory, on Tuesday said it would convert the Zuba General Hospital to an isolation and treatment centre.

The Minister of the FCT, Muhammad Bello stated this at a press briefing in Abuja, adding that the FCT administration would also work with the management of the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada to expand the current isolation and treatment centre to accommodate more patients by providing essential facilities.

The minister equally ordered workers at Grade level 1 to 12 to stay at home as part of measures to curb the spread of coronavirus, while giving instruction that shops in the markets and neighbourhood centres, except those selling food items and other essential commodities be closed immediately.

Bello said: “Shops in the markets and neighbourhood centres in the FCT are to be shut to traders except those who sell essential commodities and medicines. However, pharmacies and supermarkets selling essential products and bakeries are to remain open but abide strictly by laid down measures.”

The minister, who noted that the FCTA had raised an emergency response team to tackle the spread, explained that containing the virus depended largely on personal choices.

Speaking at the press briefing, The FCT Commissioner of Police, Bala Ciroma, promised that security agencies would enforce the order restricting gathering to not more than 50 persons in churches and mosques.