…Spreads to Abuja, Kano
By Frank Momoh
The Minister of Health, Mr. Osaigie Ehanire on Friday stated that the only 55 out of the 148 passengers that came into Nigeria with the diagnosed Italian have been traced.
The other 93 Passengers who are yet to report have been urged to call: 0800-970-0001 to 10 for identification for isolation and quarantine, the federal government urged the escapees.
The deadly respiratory Corona Virus disease, otherwise referred to as COVID-19, the Minister said has spread to Kano and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), this is beside the occurrence in Lagos and Ogun States.
The statistics bring to 4 which is Lagos and Ogun States which already harboured it, the Minister said.
Giving update on the status and trend of the disease in Abuja, he said 90 percent of reported cases in the last 24 hour occurred outside of China, where the disease is said to have originated from.
He said: “Between the 7th of January and yesterday, 5th of March 2020, a total of 21 suspected cases have been identified across 4 States in Nigeria.
“The states are Lagos, Ogun, FCT and Kano. There is still only one confirmed case of COVID- 9 in Nigeria, which is the index case and no death.
“There were three new suspected cases between the 4th of March when I last provided an update and today. Two cases were Negative. while one result is pending.
“Therefore as at today, 6th of March 2020. I repeat that there is 0″” me confirmed case of COVID-9 in Nigeria.
“Let me assure you that there is no other confirmed case in Nigeria today. If there is a new case in Nigeria this will be announced immediately.
“Please disregard all rumours of new cases in Nigeria. Verified news Will come from the Federal Ministry of Health and Nigeria Centre for Disease Control.”
According to him, the index case is clinically stable with mild symptoms and is being managed at the Infectious Disease Hospital in Yaba, Lagos
He said the Ministry and the Disease Centre, are following up with 61 contacts of the index case, adding that there are 21 contacts in Lagos state and 40 contacts in Ogun state.
“The contacts of the index case are currently under supervised self isolation and the states have provided them with temperature monitoring tools.” He added.
On the alleged escapees from the plane yet to be tracked, he said: “Of the 148 passengers on the manifest of the index case ftight, 55 are actively being followed up.”
Ehanire, said NCDC and Port Health Services are in touch with them to monitor their temperatures and possible appearance of COVID- 9 symptoms. We are reaching out o others.
“I Urge any passenger of the Turkish Airlines Flight to Lagos on February 24 listening to me to contact us on 08009700001-10.
“Yesterday, NCDC released new guidance for schools In Nigeria. It is important to focus on ensuring personal and respiratory hygiene in schools. At the moment there is no reason to shut down schools In Nigeria.
“NCDC has also escalated risk communications activities. In collaboration with Dettol Nigeria, we published a video on COVlD-9 preventive measures shot with Nollywood actress, Funke Akindele.”
He added that there are 5 laboratories with the capacity for in the country testing for COVlD-19, which are NCDC National Reference Laboratory Abuja, NIMR-Lagos, LUTH-Lagos, ISTH Edo and African Culture of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Disease (ACEGID) in Osun State.
Ehanire, advised citizens to discourage the spread of misinformation that causes fear and panic, adding that government will continue to monitor closely the global| situation with cases spreading quickly in other countries.
He said: “While the outbreak in Wuhan and more broadly in China is reducing, case numbers are increasing outside of China.Over 90% of cases reported in last 24hr were reported outside of China.
“We will continue to closely compare our infection prevention and control measures with what obtains in other countries and I can confirm that our standing in Nigeria is among the best .
” Number of countries affected within the 24 hours Increased by 5 (Argentina, Chile, Poland, South Africa and Ukraine ) making total of 77 countries with seven of these in Africa: Algeria, Egypt, Tunisia. Morocco. Senegal, South Africa and Nigeria
“On Monday. this week, we had the second Coronavirus Preparedness and Response lnter-Ministerial Multisectorial Meeting which brought together Ministers and heads of agencies involved in the response, where we assessed our response and re-strategise to ensure that the disease in contained.”
He said federal government and the various stakehohders have strengthened their surveillance at the points of entry by strengthening the capacity of Port health services to identify suspected cases.
“The isolation centre at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital is being upgraded to be able to handle cases in the of identification of any case.” He said.