A first case of coronavirus disease (CONID-19) has been confirmed in an Italian citizen in Lagos.
The Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, disclosed the development saying the case was confirmed on February 27.
The Ministry of Health said in a statement that, “The case is an Italian citizen who works in Nigeria and returned from Milan, Italy to Lagos, Nigeria, on the 25th of February 2020.
“He was confirmed by the Virology Laboratory of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, part of the Laboratory Network of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control.
“The patient is clinically stable, with no serious symptoms, and is being managed at the Infectious Disease Hospital in Yaba, Lagos.”
The Minister, however, gave assurance that the Ministry was working hard to ensure the control the outbreak of the disease in Nigeria.
He called on Nigerians to ensure high level hygiene to protect themselves and their families from any such disease.
Particularly, he urged Nigerians to maintain hand and respiratory hygiene to protect themselves.
The Health Ministry issued the following guidance:
“1. Regularly and thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water, and use alcohol-based hand sanitiser.
2. Maintain at least 1 & half metres (5 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
3. Persons with persistent cough or sneezing should stay home or keep a social distance, but not mix in crowd.
4. Make sure you and people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene, meaning cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or into your sleeve at the bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately.
5. Stay home if you feel unwell with symptoms like fever, cough and difficulty in breathing. Please call NCDC toll free number which is available day and night, for guidance- 0800-970000-10. Do not engage in self-medication
6. Stay informed on the latest developments about COVID-19 through official channels on TV and Radio, including the Lagos State Ministry of Health, NCDC and Federal Ministry of Health”.
