By MOHAMMED MOMOH

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Nigerian authorities say they have discovered more Covid-19 related deaths in northern Kano state.

Health Minister Dr Osagie Ehanire on Monday said that between 50 per cent and 60 per cent of the 979 mystery deaths in Kano in April were due to the pandemic.

“With regard to unexplained deaths in Kano which occurred in April, the panel confirmed from graveyard records, that a total of 979 deaths were recorded in eight municipal areas,” Dr Ehanire said at the briefing of the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 in Abuja.

“This was at a rate of 43 deaths per day, with a peak in the second week of April. By the beginning of May, the death rate had reduced to the 11 deaths per day it used to be,’’ he said.

About 56 per cent of the deaths were recorded at home and 38 per cent in the hospitals, he added.

Most of the victims were aged above 65, according to the minister.

Kano government had earlier attributed the ‘mysterious deaths’ to other illnesses including malaria, meningitis and high blood pressure.

Nigeria as of Monday had recoded 12,486 confirmed Covid-19 cases in 35 States and Federal Capital Territory, according to the Health Ministry.

3,959 people have recovered while the death toll stands at 354.

Over 76,800 persons have been tested since the country reported its first case 100 days ago.