Nigeria confirms first case of the deadly Coronavirus disease in Lagos State

The Federal Ministry of Health has just verified a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) case in Lagos State, Nigeria. The health matter, which was verified on the 28th of February 2020, is the debut case to be alerted in Nigeria since the welcoming of the outbreak in Wuhan, China back in January 2020. 

The Coronavirus issue is an Italian indigene who stays and labours in Nigeria and just returned from Milan, Italy to Lagos, Nigeria on Tuesday 25th of February 2020. He was verified by the Virology Laboratory of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, units of the Laboratory Network of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control. The victim is stable, with no serious indications, and is being handled with care at the Infectious Disease Hospital in Yaba, Lagos.  

The Government of Nigeria, via the Federal Ministry of Health has been forcing measures to make sure an outburst in Nigeria is influenced over and contained rapidly. The multi-sectoral Coronavirus Preparedness Group led by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has instantly enabled its national Emergency Operations Centre and will labour jointly with Lagos State Health authorities to react to this health issues and starts firm control measures.

I wish to assure all Nigerians that have 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.

According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control’s (NCDC) official website, Dr Osagie Ehanire, the Minister of Health sent out a precautionary measures to Nigerians and letting them not to panic on the latest case in Nigeria. This is what he said below;

“We have already started working to identify all the contacts of the patient, since he entered Nigeria. Please be reminded that most people who become infected may experience only mild illness and recover easily, but it can be more severe in others, particularly the elderly and persons with other underlying chronic illnesses. All Nigerians should take care of their health and maintain hand and respiratory hygiene to protect themselves and others, including their own families.”

“Including their own families, following the precautions below:

“1.    Regularly and thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water, and use alcohol-based hand sanitiser.

2.    Maintain at least 1 & half metres (5 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.

3. Persons with persistent cough or sneezing should stay home or keep a social distance, but not mix in crowd.

4. Make sure you and people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene, meaning cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or into your sleeve at the bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately.

5. 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- 0800-970000-10. Do not engage in self-medication 

6. Stay informed on the latest developments about COVID-19 through official channels on TV and Radio, including the Lagos State Ministry of Health, NCDC and Federal Ministry of Health.”

“Citizens must not abuse social media and indulge in spreading misinformation that causes fear and panic. The Federal Ministry of Health, through Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, will continue to provide updates and will initiate all measures required to prevent the spread of any outbreak in Nigeria.”