The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, on Wednesday explained why the molecular laboratory in Kano suspended testing for COVID-19.

Ehanire, at a media briefing of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 in Abuja, said the lab suspended testing because some of its workers were infected.

The minister stated this as governors agreed on the implementation of inter-state lockdown for two weeks.

But earlier on Wednesday, there were reports that the Kano laboratory, which began work a few weeks ago, halted testing because it ran out of reagents and kits.


But Ehanire, who confirmed that there was a shortage of reagents in the centre, said the chemicals had been sent to the laboratory.

He said, “As for the testing in Kano, there was a report that they had reduced availability of reagents and they were supplied. But in addition to that, there a was temporary halt in activities because some of the workers in the laboratory were infected and the laboratory had to be shut down for decontamination. That was just temporary.


“But with regard to supply with reagents, they have been replenished. They have the personal protective equipment and reagents now.”