By Hassan Zaggi
The Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, has confirmed the first case of Coronavirus in Nigeria.
The case was found in Lagos.
In a circular, he disclosed that the case is an Italian citizen who works in Nigeria and returned from Milan, Italy to Lagos on February 25, 2020.
“He was confirmed by the Virology Laboratory at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, part of the Laboratory Network at the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control.
“The patient is clinically stable, with no serious symptoms, and is being managed at the Infectious Disease Hospital in Yaba, Logos,” he said.
He, however, assured Nigerians that, “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.
“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.”
He further advised Nigerians to take care of their health and maintain hand and respiratory hygiene to protect themselves and others.
