TheNewsGuru

Tag: COVID-19

  • BREAKING: Congo discharges last Ebola patient amid jubilation

    Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has discharged it’s last Ebola patient from a treatment centre in a town of Beni, amid jubilation.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports a 42-day countdown began on 2 March to declaring the end of the world’s second-deadliest epidemic, after no further cases have been confirmed.

    Dr Matshidiso Moeti, the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Africa, had commended tireless efforts that have been made to respond to Ebola outbreak.

    “I applaud the tireless efforts that have been made to respond to this outbreak and I’m truly encouraged by the news that the last Ebola patient has left the treatment centre healthy,” Dr Moeti said.

    Although the patient has been allowed to leave, 46 people who had come in contact with her are still being monitored, according to report.

    “It is not yet the end of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We must stay vigilant in the coming weeks and beyond,” Moeti noted.

    Meanwhile, all the aspects of the Ebola response remain in place to ensure that any new cases are detected quickly and treated.

    The end of the outbreak can only be ascertained when no infections arise 42 days after the last reported case has tested negative.

    The current outbreak, which was declared on 1 August 2018, is the DRC’s tenth and the second-worst globally after the 2014–2016 epidemic in West Africa.

    As of 1 March, there were 3,444 confirmed and probable cases and 2,264 deaths.

    Surveillance, pathogen detection and clinical management are ongoing, including validating alerts, monitoring the remaining contacts, supporting rapid diagnostics of suspected cases and working with community members to strengthen surveillance on deaths in the communities.

    Countdown to the end of Ebola is coming at a time another epidemic, novel Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is hitting hard globally.

  • Aso Rock braces for Coronavirus

    Aso Rock braces for Coronavirus

    Following President Muhammadu Buhari’s call on Nigerians not to panic after Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was confirmed in the country, Aso Rock seems to be bracing up seriously against the disease.

    Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to President Buhari on Media and Publicity on Monday shared a photo with Muhammad Elder Mashi, team leader from center for disease control in the State House, getting the Villa ready in case of Coronavirus.

    Earlier, President Buhari had noted with sadness, the recent confirmation of a case of Covid-19 infection in Lagos, Nigeria, “despite the ardent efforts of the government regarding preparedness and response measures put in place in our country’s borders and beyond”.

    He, however, commended the Federal Ministry of Health and other relevant agencies whose diligence and efficiency enabled the case to be detected, diagnosed and isolated quickly, even while swift measures were taken to identify and follow up on those with whom the index patient came into contact.

    The President commended the responses of the Federal Ministry of Health and Governments of Lagos and Ogun States as well as other relevant agencies to the reported incident and calls for vigilance on the part of all citizens and responsible government agencies.

    President Buhari urged Nigerians not to panic about the news of this first case of Covid-19 in our country, as undue alarm would do us more harm than good.

    “Instead, Nigerians should strictly observe the advisories disseminated by the Ministry of Health, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and the World Health Organisation (WHO), on the best way to prevent infection,” the President had said.

  • Cure for Coronavirus: U.S. pharmaceuticals report on progress

    Cure for Coronavirus: U.S. pharmaceuticals report on progress

    U.S. pharmaceutical companies met and reported progress being made on a vaccine and cure for Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) to President Donald Trump on Monday.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the meeting held at the White House at the bidding of President Trump, who at a press conference said more cases are likely in the U.S. after the country confirmed death caused by the disease recently.

    “I am meeting with the major pharmaceutical companies today at the White House about progress on a vaccine and cure. Progress being made,” Trump had announced.

    As the world is putting efforts to find a vaccine or possibly a cure for the dreaded disease, recall that Israel had announced a major breakthrough vaccine against the disease for poultry, and are only three months away from testing the vaccine on humans.

    The researchers from Galilee Research Institute claimed that the vaccine they have been developing for the past four years could be modified for use in humans within three months.

    Announcing the breakthrough vaccine at a press conference, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Galilee Research Institute, David Zigdon said the vaccine it has been developing for the past four years has similar DNA structure in the virus that had spread from China.

    “There is a high urgency around the world to develop a vaccine for the coronavirus in humans, so we are working to expedite the development process and achieve an effective vaccine for the COVID-19 virus over the next 8-10 weeks and move to safety trials [in humans] within 90 days.

    “The vaccine developed by us for poultry is administered orally and the human vaccine offered by us is also expected to be administered orally” Zigdon said at the press conference.

    The Galilee Research Institute CEO noted that due to the urgent global need for the vaccine, the Institute is working around the clock with potential partners to help accelerate the research process in humans needed to complete the final product development and regulatory process.

    Prof. Dan Levanon, founder of Galilee Research Institute said that the duration of the vaccine’s development process is contingent upon health officials’ regulations.

    “Under these conditions, where the disease causes enormous damages as it worsens, I believe the regulations will be eased,” Levanon said.

    Meanwhile, Israeli Minister of Science and Technology, Ofir Akunis has welcomed the researchers’ breakthrough.

    “Had [the vaccine] had to be subjected to the usual regulations, it would have taken several years. Of course, without risking human life. I hope and believe there will be further progress soon,” he said at the press conference.

    Akunis also instructed the Director of the Ministry to promote any possible collaborations that would expedite the production of the vaccine in humans.

  • COVID-19: Abuja residents decry scarcity of face masks after Plateau Govt quarantined 4 Chinese

    COVID-19: Abuja residents decry scarcity of face masks after Plateau Govt quarantined 4 Chinese

    After Plateau Government quarantined four Chinese nationals in the State in line with measures to forestall the spread of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID -19), residents of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have complained about scarcity of face masks, an item needed to protect against the spread of the disease.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Plateau State Government quarantined four Chinese nationals, who miners working in Wase Local Government Area of the State, after they entered the country from China enroute Addis Ababa Airport to Abuja airport, where they were screened by health officials.

    “They are four nationals, one arrived on Feb. 25, while the three others arrived on Feb. 26. On questioning them, they said they came from China, enroute Addis Ababa Airport to Abuja airport , where they were screened by health officials,” the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Nimkong Ndam said in an interview.

    He said the uproar that their arrival had caused was just speculations which would be confirmed after their isolation for 14 days, as they had not shown any symptoms of the virus.

    He assured the public that health officials were on ground to ensure all measures were taken to curtail the spread of the virus which had killed more than 2000 lives in China, since it was first reported in December 2019.

    Meanwhile, across section of Abuja residents who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday, expressed concern over the unavailability of face masks in the markets.

    Mr Joseph Abiodun told NAN in Gwagwalada that he had checked for face masks to buy in supermarkets and pharmacies in the area but could not find any.

    Abiodun said with an index case of Convid-19 recorded in Lagos, it was expected that face masks and other protective materials be easily made available.

    Zainab Abubakar, another resident said she used her weekend searching for face masks to buy in order to get prepared for the week but couldn’t get any because it was not available in the markets.

    Abubakar noted that she was not willing to patronise hawkers that sell such products on the streets.

    Similarly, Mr Isaac Avoihi, a resident of Federal Housing in Lugbe complained of unavailability of face masks in his area.

    Avoihi said he was ready to buy the face masks at any price because of its importance owing to the outbreak of the disease in Nigeria.

    Mrs Modinat Balogun told NAN that the scarcity of the face masks in her area and other parts of Abuja was worrisome.

    Balogun said she went to the city centre to buy sanitisers and face masks for herself and her children but she could not get the face masks in any of the supermarkets visited.

    She appealed to the government to provide all personal protective materials for people free of charge, adding that doing so would help in containing the spread of the disease.

    Face masks were out of stocks in most supermarkets and pharmacies visited in Gwagwalada and Lugbe areas of FCT.

    While reacting to news about the suspected Coronavirus patients in Wase Local Government Area, Chairman of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Plateau chapter, Dr Titus Dajel called for more stringent measures at entry points of the state to control the spread of the virus in the state and the nation.

    Dajel said thorough checks by relevant authorities should be conducted on foreigners entering the country, especially from countries with the Coronavirus.

    “We urge the public to exercise caution and high level of hygiene and avoid crowdy areas and environment.

    Nigeria’s confirmed coronavirus case was first reported on Friday of an Italian working in a cement factory in Ogun State.

    The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, said there are four laboratories in the country where suspected cases could be tested.

  • VIDEO: Why we are not wearing protective gears around COVID-19 patient – Hospital MD

    VIDEO: Why we are not wearing protective gears around COVID-19 patient – Hospital MD

    Dr. Bowale Abimbola, Managing Director of Mainland General Hospital, Yaba, where the confirmed Nigerian case of Coronavirus (Covid-19) is being isolated, monitored, and treated has provided a reason why officials are not putting on protective gears around the centre.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Dr. Abimbola gave the reason on Sunday during a tour of the Lagos State owned Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH), where he said maintaining a distance of 2 meters away from the Covid-19 patient guarantees against the disease.

    Recall that a faint picture of the Italian man who brought Coronavirus to Nigeria was unveiled on Saturday, with Prof Akin Abayomi and Dr Abimbola seen very close to the door leading into the ward where the Covid-19 patient is being kept.

    In the photo, the Italian man could be seen faintly discussing with Abayomi from where he is isolated. Neither the Commissioner nor Dr. Abimbola was putting on a face mask or anything else from the clothes they were wearing. This sparked fears from some persons who felt officials who attend to the Covid-19 patient should be using some form of protective gears.

    Abimbola explained that the position where himself and the State Commissioner for Health spoke with the index patient at the former place where he was kept, was a safe distance.

    “As you can see me, I am not using any face mask because the distance between me and where the patient is, is more than 2 meters, so I cannot get infected.

    “It is only when I am going to move into the ward or when I am going to move closer to the patient less than 2 meters I am going to put on my full protective gears.

    “We know what we are doing, and there is no need for anybody to panic,” Dr. Abimbola said.

    Watch video below:

    Speaking on why the Covid-19 patient was brought from Ogun State to Lagos, Prof. Abayomi said it was because the patient started his journey to Ogun from Lagos.

    Watch video below:

  • Coronavirus: Bishop Okonkwo speaks on God destroying the world with virus

    Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM), Dr. Mike Okonkwo has said “CoronaVirus will come and go and we will still be here because God didn’t tell us that he will destroy the world with the virus”.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Bishop Okonkwo stated this on Sunday while preaching on the message title: the first thing first, stressing that “there is an answer to every infirmity and disease that is plaguing the earth.

    “The Blood of Jesus was shed once and for all, for our eternal redemption! We are saved by His blood”.

    Similarly, the General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye had on Saturday night prayed against any spread of the novel Coronavirus disease.

    Adeboye offered the prayers in a live broadcast on Saturday night while making an address that marked the end of the church’s 50-day fasting and prayers which had started on January 11, 2020.

    “There is no virus that is going to come near you at all because it is written that they that dwell under the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

    “I believe that this is a time to show that there is a difference between those who serve Him (God) wholeheartedly and those who do not. It shall be well with you and you will enjoy peace and you will have good health,” Pastor Adeboye said.

    Nigeria recorded its first confirmed index case of COVID-19 on Friday with an Italian traveller who arrived in Lagos on Monday night from Milan, Italy.

    The novel virus, which was first confirmed in Wuhan, China, is fast-spreading in over 25 countries across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Americas and Africa.

  • NCAA tightens Coronavirus preventive measures at airports

    Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) is working with all stakeholders to harmonise preventive measures taken against the Coronavirus at the country’s airports.

    Capt. Musa Nuhu, the newly appointed Director General, NCAA, revealed this in a statement in Lagos on Sunday.

    Nuhu explained that this to contain the spread following the confirmed case of an Italian that came in through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos on Monday.

    The health ministry, the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Lagos State Ministry of Health and Ogun State Ministry of Health have responded to ensure no further spread of the disease.

    Nuhu explained that the preventive measures were to ensure all travelers coming into the country are adequately screened, while causing minimal disruption to them.

    He noted that all contingency plans for public health events in aviation had been activated including airport-specific Public Health Emergency Contingency Plans (PHECPs).

    Nuhu said NCAA had ensured that all measures adopted at Nigerian airports were in accordance to ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) and WHO International Health Regulations (IHR 2005).

    “This measures is in line with the guidelines of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Collaborative Arrangement for the Prevention and Management of Public Health Events in Civil Aviation (CAPSCA).

    “We have been working with the Federal Ministry of Health, and other stakeholders in the aviation industry to ensure all travelers coming into the country are adequately screened while causing minimum disruption to facilitation of travel.

    “NCAA will continue to ensure that airlines assist with the tracking of passengers who may have come in contact with suspect or ill persons as well as other measures the National Surveillance Systems requires.

    “Airlines and other airport users are advised to heed the guidance of Port Health Services (a division of the Federal Ministry of Health and Competent Public Health Authority at Point of Entry) on the use of screening forms.

    “Others are on the assessment of suspect or ill travelers and any other measures they may adopt,” he said.

    Nuhu advised airlines, airport operators, security agencies and other aviation industry stakeholders to take appropriate precaution to protect their staff.

    He also advised the travelling public to remain calm but alert and take necessary precaution in protecting themselves while traveling.

    The director general said this include alerting crew members and airport facilitation staff of travelers that might look ill or showing signs and symptoms of the disease.

    Nuhu said travelers returning from countries experiencing community transmission of the COVID-19 should present themselves to Port Health Services on arrival at the Point of Entry – International Airport.

    He said travelers who develop signs and symptoms of the disease after returning from a trip abroad were to seek immediate medical attention at the nearest Health facility or call the NCDC on 0800-970000-10.

  • Coronavirus: NCDC releases 4th advisory to Nigerians on COVID-19

    Coronavirus: NCDC releases 4th advisory to Nigerians on COVID-19

    The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has released the fourth public health advisory on the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) to Nigerians.

    Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, the Director-General of NCDC made the advisory available in Abuja.

    COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) is a new strain of the virus that has not been previously identified in humans.

    SARS-CoV-2 is the virus that causes coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

    Ihekweazu said that this was an updated advisory on the COVID-19 disease, following confirmation of the first case in Nigeria on the Feb. 27, 2020.

    “This advisory will be updated frequently to reflect new information and research emerging on the disease and its impact on populations.

    “On the February 28, 2020, the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH), announced the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Nigeria. The index case is an Italian businessman who arrived Nigeria from Milan, Italy, on the 25th of February, 2020.

    ” The case was confirmed at the Virology Laboratory of Lagos University Teaching Hospital on the 27th of February 2020. This laboratory is part of the network of laboratories supported by the NCDC.

    “Prior to laboratory confirmation, the patient had travelled to Ogun State for a business meeting. The index case is clinically stable, with mild symptoms, and is being managed at the Infectious Disease Hospital in Yaba, Lagos,” he explained.

    He said that the FMoH through NCDC had activated a national Emergency Operations Centre(EOC) at the highest level and was leading the national response.

    He added that a National Rapid Response Team had been deployed to support Lagos and Ogun State Governments with contact tracing and required response activities.

    “Currently, there are four laboratories in NCDC’s molecular laboratory network, with the capacity to test for COVID-19 in Nigeria. These laboratories are sufficiently equipped with reagents and supplies for testing.

    “NCDC is in contact with all states to increase the index of suspicion to ensure cases are detected early,” he said.

    The director-general said the FMoH had also intensified surveillance at points of entry in Lagos, Kano, Port Harcourt and FCT, particularly for returning travelers with travel history to countries with ongoing transmission.

    “Presently, World Health Organisation (WHO) does not recommend any travel or trade restriction based on the current information available.

    “An intensive communications campaign has begun to provide regular updates and accurate information to Nigerians on protecting themselves,” he said.

    Ihekweazu said that Nigerians could reduced the risk of COVID-19 by adhering to the following measures:

    • Wash your hands frequently with soap under running water or use alcohol-based sanitizer if water is not available.

    • Cover your mouth and nose properly with a tissue paper when sneezing and/or coughing. Dispose of the tissue properly immediately after use. You may also cough into your elbow if a tissue is not available.

    • Avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing.

    • Healthcare workers are always advised to observe standard infection prevention and control measures when attending to patients and take a travel history.

    He said that travelers exiting and entering screening had been intensified across several countries, particularly countries with ongoing local transmission.

    “This includes temperature checks and provision of accurate information on preventive measures at airports.

    “In Nigeria, the Port Health Services of the FMoH has heightened screening measures at points of entry. In addition to automated temperature screening at points of entry, travelers are given a contact form to fill and asked questions upon arrival about symptoms of illness and travel history.

    “Travelers without symptoms on departure but become unwell in transit are advised to self-report to the Port Health Services on arrival.

    “Travelers from countries with ongoing local transmission, but who show no symptoms on arrival should self-isolate at home for 14 days after arrival.

    “If travelers from countries with ongoing local transmission feel ill with fever, cough or difficulty breathing within 14 days of arrival in Nigeria, please:

    “Observe self-isolation immediately by staying indoors and avoiding contact with people.

    “Call the NCDC 24/7 toll-free line IMMEDIATELY on 080097000010,” he said.

    He called on Nigerians to avoid self-medication, while stating that travelers to China and other affected countries, strongly advised them that all non-essential travel to countries with ongoing local transmission should be postponed, until the outbreak is contained.

    “Travelers from Nigeria to China and other affected countries are advised to avoid contact with sick people,” he emphasised.

    He also urged health workers to maintain a high index of suspicion for COVID-19.

    He, however advised Health officials to call 07032864444 for sample transportation and related advice if they have a case that fits the national case definition.

    For schools and busineses, he said that the current situation in the country does not warrant a shutdown of daily activities.

    If there was sustained community transmission in Nigeria, various additional measures may be instituted.

    “For now; schools are advised to circulate NCDC’s public health advisory and related materials on COVID-19 to all staff, students and parents.

    “Businesses are advised to circulate NCDC’s public health advisory and related materials on COVID-19 to all employees, clients and visitors.

    “Encourage sick employees and students to stay at home if they are unwell. Ensure routine cleaning of high contact areas such as toilets, door handles, telephones, etc.

    “Provide facilities and emphasise the importance of hand washing,” he advised.

    Ihekweazu listed countries with ongoing transmission as at Feb. 28, 2020, as China, Republic of Korea, Italy, Iran, and Japan.

    COVID-19 appears to cause mild to severe respiratory symptoms like fever, cough and difficulty breathing.

    From current evidence about 98 persons out of 100 persons with the disease will recover.

    In about 10 – 15 per cent of cases, it will cause a severe illness. It appears that death is not a common outcome and occurs mostly in elderly patients with underlying health issues.

    Currently, four laboratories in Nigeria can diagnose COVID-19.

    In addition to the NCDC National Reference Laboratory, this includes the Virology Laboratory of Lagos University Teaching Hospital; Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital and African Centre for Genomics of Infectious Diseases in Ede, Osun State.

    There is no specific treatment yet for COVID-19. However, many of the symptoms can be treated.

    Therefore, treatment is based on the patient’s clinical condition. Supportive care for infected persons can be highly effective.

  • BREAKING: Ogun State identifies 28 Coronavirus suspects

    BREAKING: Ogun State identifies 28 Coronavirus suspects

    The Government of Ogun State said it has identified and quarantined 28 Coronavirus (Covid-19) suspects, potentially those who came in contact with the first Nigerian case of the deadly virus.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun confirmed the development at a press briefing, where he said the company in Ewekoro, where the Italian citizen, who tested positive of Covid-19 on Friday, visited has been shut down.

    “The information we have is that the particular company in question has practically shut down and they have set up two isolation centres within the company. They have identified all those that have been in contact with this index, totalling about 28 so far and they have been quarantined.

    “They are looking at interviewing these 28 people to know who they have been in contact with so that they can ensure these other people are quarantined.

    “We are not leaving any stone unturned; we have distributed a lot of items all the way to our local government and our primary health care centres; gloves, masks and protective equipment,” the Governor said.

    He added that surveillance centres have been reactivated in all the 20 Local Government Areas in the State and at the Olabisi Onabanjo Teaching Hospital in Sagamu in case of an outbreak.

  • Coronavirus: How Italian citizen passed airport screening without being detected

    The federal government (FG) immediately triggered advanced end-to-end screening for passengers flying into Nigeria, especially from high-risk countries after the Italian citizen, who tested positive of Coronavirus (Covid-19), scaled through health screening at the Lagos airport without being detected.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who made this known on Friday during a first press conference held at the State House in Marina to brief the public on the matter, said investigation showed the virus did not manifest in the patient at the time he passed through the airport.

    Following the reported case of the Italian citizen diagnosed with the infectious viral disease in the State in the early hours of Friday, the Lagos State Government has raised its level of response to Coronavirus (COVID-19) incident, according to Sanwo-Olu.

    The Governor also offered more information on how the patient was identified and efforts currently being made to prevent the spread of the virus.

    The patient, Sanwo-Olu said, is an Ogun State-based expatriate who flew into Lagos from Milan in Italy via Istanbul, Turkey last Monday evening. The Governor said the patient, whose name was not disclosed, remained in stable condition at the bio-security facility in Yaba, Lagos Mainland, where he is being isolated.

    It was gathered that the patient, although, tested positive to COVID-19 virus, is yet to show any respiratory symptoms at press time. He complained of fever and body pain, which prompted his transfer from Ogun State to Lagos for advanced medical investigation.

    Sanwo-Olu said a number of persons, who had physical contact with the patient before the virus was diagnosed, are being traced, while others are currently being examined for possible symptoms.

    Sanwo-Olu said there should be no cause for panic among Nigerians over the reported COVID-19 incident, stressing that measures had been set in motion by the State and Federal governments to contain the spread of the virus across the country.

    He particularly allayed the fear of Lagos residents, saying the two bio-security facilities in the State had the capability to contain the virus.

    “At 10pm on Thursday, I got a call from the Commissioner of Health, who reported possible identification of patient with coronavirus in Ogun State. Immediately, we triggered all levels of bio-security responses and containment facilities. After series of laboratory examination, the patient was confirmed to have tested positive to the virus in early hours of today (Friday) and we immediately alerted the federal authorities, including the President and everybody who needs to be aware.

    “We are in constant touch with the company where the patient was engaged. The management and personnel of the company have been cooperative. Health workers and emergency officials are on the field to track all persons that had physical contacts and interaction with the patient.

    “Our bio-security facilities have been fortified to continue any form of test and contain any other potential case. We are in constant touch with the Federal Ministry of Health to harmonise our response to the incident. For us in Lagos, we are doing anything that needs to be done. The patient is stable and every health intervention required is currently being given to him,” Sanwo-Olu said.

    On how the patient scaled through health screening at the Lagos airport without being detected, Sanwo-Olu said investigation showed the virus did not manifest in the patient at the time he passed through the airport. The incident, he said, prompted the Government to immediately trigger advanced end-to-end screening for passengers flying into Nigeria, especially from high-risk countries.

    The Governor said there would not be prohibition of public gatherings and regular activities in Lagos despite the diagnosed case of COVID-19, pointing out that such measure may give rise to needless panic among the general public. He said the condition of the patient was not “highly contagious” at the moment, adding that the State would only ban outdoor gatherings in the case of escalation in person-to-person transmission of the virus.

    He said: “It is only when there is a high level of escalation that the public can be panicky and this is when we realise that it is getting to person-to-person transmission. As we have said, this isolated case has been contained right from the hospital where he was first admitted and the guesthouse he slept after his arrival in Nigeria. It is when there is a person-to-person infection that we can trigger another level of isolation and curtail public events where large number of people can gather. I don’t think we have gotten to that level yet.”

    Sanwo-Olu also cleared the air on why the patient was transferred to Lagos after the incident was reported in Ogun State, saying the Federal Government only established testing centres to prevent coronavirus in States that have international airports. Lagos, the Governor said, is the only State in the Southwest that has testing centres. He said the State was also considered based on its sophisticated bio-security facilities, which were established during the outbreak of Ebola virus.

    Prof. Abayomi explained how the diagnosis was carried out, following the patient’s complaint of fever and body pain. He said the patient started to show signs of illness on Wednesday afternoon, after which he was presented at the Ogun State-based firm’s hospital where investigation began.

    He said: “Investigation began at the hospital after the patient gave history of his trip to Nigeria. The medical personnel at the company’s hospital kept the patient in isolation overnight and contacted us at the bio-security in Lagos for assistance. We immediately asked them to transfer the case to Lagos. The patient was brought to our high-containment in Yaba on Thursday morning.

    “Immediately the patient arrived, he was put in proper isolation and appropriate tests were conducted on him. Within hours, we received signals that the laboratory tests were showing signs of positivity. At that point, we informed the Federal Minister of Health and Governor Sanwo-Olu, who is the Chief Incident Commander in Lagos.”

    The Health Commissioner said the patient was responding well under a supportive therapy, saying efforts were on to identify all persons that had physical contact with the patient to break the cycle of transmission.

    He disclosed that the State remained prepared to contain potential spread of the virus, observing that Lagos had wrapped up the capacity of its containment facility to 80-bed as a result of the emergency funds released by the Governor.

    Prof. Abayomi said more capabilities were being put in place by the State to deal with increase number of cases. He said aggressive public awareness campaign was going on to sensitise residents on hygiene and activities that can prevent the spread of virus.