By Hassan Zaggi
With the support of the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Federal Government has acquired Coronavirus testing equipment.
With this development, Nigeria now has the capacity to test Coronavirus.
Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, disclosed this in Abuja, as part of the concerted efforts by Federal Government to keep the disease at bay.
He, therefore, applauded the WHO for the support.
Ehanire, however, called on those who came from China in the past fortnight to “self isolate” for at least 14 days, to protect their families and communities.
“Such persons who develop fever, cough, sore throat or difficulty in breathing, to report to the nearest hospital.
“All Healthcare workers who receive patients with symptoms like fever, cough, difficulty in breathing are to supply them masks and isolate, before contacting the Nigeria Center for Disease Control(NCDC) on 07032864444.
“Naso pharyngeal or throat swabs are to be collected for testing for CoronaVirus at NCDC,” the Minister appealed.
Speaking further, the Minister advised all persons, who within 14 days of onset of illness, history of travel to China 14 days prior to onset of symptoms or; close contact with a confirmed case of coronavirus infection or; exposure to a health care facility anywhere, which is associated with coronavirus infection to report to the nearest hospital.
Such persons, the Minister reiterated, are to go to a hospital for testing.
“To be also tested are those with laboratory confirmation of corona 2019nCoV infection, with or without signs and symptoms of illness,” the Minister stressed.
