The Honourable Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, who was represented by the Honourable Minister of State, Health, Dr. Olorunnimbe Mamora, disclosed that there has been no death from Covid19 so far in Nigeria between the 7th of January and 15th of March 2020.
He stated that a total of 48 people who met with the case definition had been screened for Covid-19 in 8 States, namely, Edo, Lagos, Ogun, FCT, Yobe, Rivers, Kano and Enugu State, adding that out of 47 who tested negative and had been cleared. He stated that one who had contact with the index case was positive while one result is still pending.
He informed that following a declaration of the pandemic and increasing spread in some countries, the Federal government have carried out a review of our case definition adding that three new Countries have been added to the existing list of five high-risk Countries with widespread community transmission. These include, France, Germany and Spain while 8 Countries are in our priority list, they are China, Japan, Iran, Republic of Korea, France and Germany.
He maintained that the Index case is clinically stable and has improved greatly looking forward to be discharged by the medical team this week.
Speaking further, Dr. Mamora stated that in Enugu, a woman in her 70S returned from the United Kingdom (UK) and had symptoms of fever with a mild respiratory illness, her sample was collected for laboratory diagnosis and tested, the result was negative.
According to the Minister of State, Health, as at March 15, 2020, Nigeria has recorded two confirmed cases of Covid-19, one case is now negative and has been discharged from the hospital.
He stated that the NCDC has developed guidance for mass gathering adding that the Federal government has not advised against any closures or cancellation of large events but that appropriate measures should be taken by the organisers of the event to ensure that temperature Scanners, hand washing facilities etc. should be put in place.
He added that NCDC has launched a new website focused solely on Covid-19 which is updated daily and has all the information needed including daily situation reports, guidance for school, guidelines for health workers and many others.
He disclosed that interim case management guidance has been developed and disseminated to health workers adding that training of health workers across the states is in stages and on-going while Lagos and Ogun States are already completed.
He advised citizens to discourage the spread of misinformation that could cause fear and panic but rely only on information shared through official channels of the Federal Ministry of Health, NCDC or State Ministry of Health.
Enafaa Bob-Manuel
(Media & Public Relations)
