Coronavirus: Nigeria acquires capacity to diagnose, contain- Minister

Nigeria, with the help of WHO, has now acquired in-country capacity to test for coronavirus.

The Honorable Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie  Ehanire has expressed appreciation to WHO for their support, and again called on who has come from China in the past fortnight to “self isolate” for at least 14 days, to protect their families and communities. Such persons who develop fever, cough, sore throat or difficulty in breathing, to report to the nearest hospital.

All Healthcare workers who receive patients with symptoms like fever, cough, difficulty in breathing are to supply them masks and isolate, before contacting the Nigeria Center for  Disease Control(NCDC) on 07032864444. Naso pharyngeal or throat swabs are to be collected for testing for CoronaVirus at NCDC

Ehanire gave this call in Abuja, as part of the concerted efforts by Federal Government to keep the disease at bay.

Speaking further, the Minister advised all persons, who within 14days of onset of illness, had any one of the following exposures, to report to the nearest hospital:

1. History of travel to China 14 days prior to onset of symptoms or,

2. close contact with a confirmed case of coronavirus infection or,

3. Exposure to a health care facility anywhere, which is associated with coronavirus infection.

Such persons are to come forward to a hospital for testing.

To be also tested are those with laboratory  confirmation of corona 2019nCoV infection, with or without signs and symptoms of illness, the Minister stressed.

Enefaa Bob-Manuel

Head Media and Public Relations