Following the confirmation of the third Covid-19 (Coronavirus) case in Nigeria, Osagie Ehanire, Nigeria’s minister of health said the Presidential Taskforce on coronavirus will hold later today and a decision on whether the country will place a ban on mass gatherings or travel from high-risk countries will be taken.
The inaugural task force is headed by the Secretary-General of the Federation (SGF) and its members include representatives from ministries of health, information, interior, DSS amongst others.
The minister said the government has begun an intensive contact tracing to identify all persons who have possibly had contact with the third Coronavirus case in Nigeria.
The minister said the government is already working to identify the passengers on the flight, and other possible contacts but the disclose the flight she came in with.
Ehanire said this while briefing newsmen in Abuja on the latest development. He explained that the latest case is a Nigerian national in her 30’s who returned from a short visit to the United Kingdom on March 13th.
“Fortunately, she decided, upon returning home, to go into a 14-day self-isolation, but subsequently developed symptoms of fever and cough on March 14th, at which point she voluntarily called the Nigeria Centre for Disease Contra (NCDC) toll-free call line, to report her condition,” he explained.
“Officials from the Lagos State Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) were immediately dispatched to her home to collect samples, which upon testing came out positive for the coronavirus.
He said the number of contacts is expected to be small because of her sensible decision to go into self-isolation from the time of her arrival.
He also informed that the lady is currently at the Infectious Disease Hospital, Lagos where she has remained clinically stable and is responding to treatment.
He, however, commended the new patient for following the recommended guidelines to the letter.
