Coronavirus: We Are Working To Identify All Contacts Of Patient–fg

…Nigeria now third to confirm coronavirus in Africa

…FG cautions against abuse of social media

As Nigeria confirmed first case of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) case in Lagos State, the Federal Ministry of Health said it has already started working to identify all the contacts of the patient since he entered Nigeria.

The ministry also cautioned against the abuse of social media and spread of misinformation that causes fear and panic.

Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, in a statement, said that most people who become infected may experience only mild illness and recover easily, adding that it can be more severe in others, particularly the elderly and persons with other underlying chronic illnesses.

The case which was confirmed on the 27th at February 2020, is the first case to be reported in Nigeria since the beginning of the outbreak in China in January 2020.

According to the minister, “the case is an Italian citizen who works in Nigeria and returned from Milan, Italy to Logos, on 25th at February.

“He was confirmed by the Virology Laboratory of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, part of the Laboratory Network at the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). The patient is clinically stable, with no serious symptoms and is being managed at the lnfectious Disease Hospital in Yaba, Logos.”

Nigeria is now the third African country to confirm coronavirus, after Egypt and Algeria.

Recall that the World Health Organisation (WHO) had identified Nigeria and 12 others as high risk countries in Africa, and nine states, including Lagos as high risk states in Nigeria.

However, the ministry of health has reaffirmed that it has been strengthening measures to ensure an outbreak in Nigeria is controlled and contained quickly.

According to the minister, “the multi-sectorial Coronavirus Preparedness Group led by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has immediately activated its National Emergency Operations Centre and will work closely with Logos State Health authorities to respond to this case and implement firm control measures.

“I wish to assure all Nigerians that we have been beefing up our preparedness capabilities since the first confirmation of cases in China and we will use all the resources made available by the government to respond to this case.

“All Nigerians should take care of their health and maintain hand and respiratory hygiene to protect themselves and others, including their own families.”

He therefore advised Nigerians to “Regularly and thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water, and use alcohol-based hand sanitiser. Maintain at least 1.5 metres (5 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.

“Persons with persistent cough or sneezing should stay home or keep a social distance, but not mix in crowd. Make sure you and people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene, meaning cover your mouth and nose with a handkerchief or tissue or into your sleeve or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately.

“Stay home if you feel unwell with symptoms like fever cough and difficulty in breathing. Please call NCDC toll free number, which is available day and night. For guidance: 0800 970 40-0010. Do not engage in self-medication.

“Stay informed on the latest developments about COVlD-l9 through official channels on TV and Radio, including the Logos State Ministry of Health, NCDC and Federal Ministry of Health,”

DavidEsq:
Useless ppl. When we were all screaming that u guys should place travel bans, u wr all saying the foreigners should quarantine themselves at home. Why are Nigerian leaders useless like this?

leokid866:

Place travel bans on who? In a country that we are looking for money......they could have done better with their screenings at the ports but even you know no one would have signed for a travel ban.

kiyosaki1:
This should be done as soon as possible or we may have a serious crises, they should start from the driver that took him to the hospital, the car itself should be thoroughly fumigated and all his contacts since he enter the country should be rounded up and quarantine or else Wuhan will be a child's play to what's about to befell this country.

leokid866:

Place travel bans on who? In a country that we are looking for money......they could have done better with their screenings at the ports but even you know no one would have signed for a travel ban.

MelesZenawi:


Done what?

Do you reason at all

Italian was on the plane with over hundred people..

mixed with people are the airport...

The hundred people has already mingled with another 100 or over 200...

Nigeria Government is the worst ever.

Countries set up high tech screening point but here... nothing..

DavidEsq:

Well this is the result. In a few weeks from now, it would enter the FCT, then PH, then Benin, and that the whole country for u. Schools would close down, masked faces everywhere, scam pastors would be on the prowl selling anointing oil to ward off the virus, ppl would be locked indoors, food prices would skyrocket (u know how wicked and exploitative, Nigerians are). A new king is in town and it's reign of terror would be felt everywhere. Is this preferable to travel ban?

kiyosaki1:


Which serious country value money more than the health of her citizens ?

leokid866:

Even with a travel ban I ask again who do you want to ban the entire world? Do you think it is only through the airport it can come through? You forget we are a population of 200 million people who will still important one thing or the other from outside.....is it not a foreigner that will still bring it to your shores.....or you will ask them not to come down from the boats.....or are you going to block all shipping lines and starve because you don't want to get sick....you said they should place travel ban and ban who? Shey you will not still wake up in the morning to do business and sell your goods to the rest of the international community, you want Nigerians who handle business abroad not to go abroad or come back home? Im seriously asking because it seems you don't understand how countries run.

kiyosaki1:


All because the Nigeria government wanted to be seen as being sympathetic towards china, because of the cheap dollars we are getting from China, at the expense of her citizens health. Which serious country does that ?