Iduozee Paul, Benin
The minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, says Nigeria has recorded another case of Coronavirus in Nigeria making it a total of two cases. He disclosed this in Benin City, during a press briefing with newsmen at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, (UBTH).
The minister said the new case had a contact with the Italian man, Nigeria’s first recorded case.
“”On the 8th of March, scientists confirmed the presence of Coronavirus in one of the contacts.It is my duty to announce a new case of the Coronavirus disease in Nigeria and the newly confirmed case is an Ogun State contact of the index case but he has no significant clinical symptoms.
“It brings the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Nigeria today to two.
“Since the beginning of the outbreak in China and its subsequent spread to other countries, one of the important response strategies at the containment stage, has been to identify all contacts, ensure their strict isolation, and follow up the way you check for every symptom of the disease”, he said.
The Health minister said all contacts of the index case in Ogun and Lagos will remain in isolation and testing will be carried out on those not yet to be tested including some in other states.
He said the federal ministry of Health and Lagos and Ogun State ministries of Health assure citizens of their commitment to do all that is needed to control the spread of the outbreak.
Dr. Osagie Ehanire also said since the first case was confirmed in Nigeria on February 27, 2020, the National Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in Abuja, has continued to work closely with Lagos and Ogun State EOCs to coordinate response activities.
He said the federal government has committed about N1billion to fighting the course and has also gotten promises of cash donations from private individuals and organizations.
“The government of Nigeria has committed about N1bn to this response and every amount that was requested by NCDC has been granted by the president with no delay at all.The money is available and is being used and utilized.
“We also have promises of donations from several organizations and private sectors and we got a letter the other day that we can apply for the global funds that has been allocated to Nigeria for this response”, he further disclosed.
The minister warned against spreading misinformation to cause fear and panic as he assured that the federal ministry of Health and NCDC will continue to provide prompt and reliable updates and initiate all measures required to protect the citizens of the country.
