Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof Akin Abayomi, has said the Italian who is Nigeria’s index case of coronavirus, still has traces of the virus and would be required to remain in isolation until all tests results from him show negative.
Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday 17th March 2020, Abayomi said the Italian was recovering and getting better but would remain at the Infectious Disease Hospital, Yaba, so as not to risk public health.
“The Italian has continued to remain in excellent form. Our last test yesterday (Monday) shows he is still potentially contagious. We are going to do more tests. The global practice is to conduct two negative tests 48 hours apart before releasing the Coronavirus patient. We are still going to test the secretion from his lungs and urine to make sure he does not have any virus from his secretion. As soon as he is negative, we will discharge him. The secondary case first tested positive and later tested negative, he has been discharged on Monday,16th March 2020, as he has recovered from the virus,” the commissioner said.
Caxton-Martins Modupeola O
Information officer I
FIC Lagos
