The Minister of Health, Mr Osagie Ohanire said the second confirmed case of COVID-19 in Nigeria after being quarantined has now tested negative for the virus today. The Minister made this disclosure in Abuja today, saying the country so far reported only two cases, one in the index case, an Italian businessman who flew into the country from Milan, and the second person was the person that had the contact with the index case.
Meanwhile, today, the second case has turned out to be negative after testing him of the virus, he was cleared and have gone home, the minister said.
Mr Ohanire has revealed that the index case can also be concluded as in clinically stable condition with his health showing improvement.
In his statement, “Steady progress till early next week will guide the medical team in discharging him.”
“As at today, 13th of March, Nigeria has recorded still just two confirmed cases of COVID-19.
“One case is now negative and will be discharged from care, while the other will follow in a few days.
“After 14 days of follow up with no symptoms, all contacts of the index case will be permitted to go home and rejoin society,” Mr Ehanire said.
In the interim, the minister revealed the country will continue with its surveillance for the disease especially from those coming in from the airports because the risk of contracting the disease is higher among air travellers, the minister said.
He said the multi-sectoral EOC (Emergency Operation Centre) will continue to oversee national response activities.
Ohanire added that part of the measure they have recorded success is that they have emergency centred spread across which every state of the country now have one to manage the case in case of an outbreak.
Following the pronouncement of Covid-19 as a pandemic, the Minister said Nigeria has begun a review of its case definition of the disease.
He said the definition of cases was reviewed due to the local case which was asymptomatic but tested positive to the virus.
Mr Ehanire said between January 7 and March 12, 2020, a total 42 people who met Nigeria’s case definition have been screened for COVID-19 in six states – Edo, Lagos, Ogun, Yobe, Rivers, Kano and FCT.
