There is palpable tension at the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) in Lagos after a senior staff who had been in contact with other staff members of the agency tested positive for coronavirus [COVID-19], TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) can authoritatively report.
According to an insider source who spoke on condition of anonymity, the affected staff in his early forties is Head of Protocol of the Port and Cargo Department (P&C) and works directly under the Managing Director of the P&C.
“He is currently receiving treatments in a private hospital in Apapa. No one is sure of his travel history but he has been in contact with top management officials of the NPA. The NCDC officials are coming to evacuate him to their facility tomorrow but we fear he might have infected people in the department and hospital where he is receiving treatment,” the source said.
The source confirmed that the NPA management has been holding emergency meetings since discovering the COVID-19 case. However, it is not clear what immediate efforts the NPA is putting in place to stop a looming spread of the virus amongst its staff.
TNG reports that if not professionally handled, this development might further increase the already high figures of COVID-19 cases in Lagos in the coming days. Recall that the Federal and State Governments had earlier warned suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases against patronising private hospitals to reduce spread. The private hospitals were also sternly warned not to admit or treat suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients.
TNG reports that as at Thursday, 23rd April, the state has 590 cases, 445 active, 107 discharged, 2 evacuated, 8 transferred and 18 deaths.
#COVID19LAGOS update as at 23rd of April, 2020
*️⃣78 new #COVID19 cases confirmed in Lagos on the 23rd of April.
Advertisement*️⃣Total number of confirmed COVID19 cases in Lagos is now 590
Call 📞 08000CORONA for any #COVID19 issues.
#StaySafe #ForAGreaterLagos@jidesanwoolu@NCDCgov pic.twitter.com/w9ILlDVpJS
— Prof. Akin Abayomi (@ProfAkinAbayomi) April 24, 2020
Meanwhile, the management of the NPA is yet to issue any official statement as regards this development. Multiple efforts by TNG to get reactions from the management was unsuccessful as at the time of filing this report.