The minister of health, Dr Osagie Enahire has announced 10 new cases of coronavirus in Nigeria- three in Abuja and seven in Lagos.
All the cases have a travel history linked to United Kingdom, France, Netherlands, Spain and Canada.
This was revealed in a press statement from the minister’s office today, 21 March, 2020.
The details of the press statement is posted below:
The Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) has confirmed 10 (ten) ninew cases
of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Nigeria; 3 (three) new cases in
the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and 7 (seven) new cases in Lagos
State. This brings the total number of confirmed cases in Nigeria to 22
(twenty-two).
All 10 (ten) new cases are Nigerian nationals; 9 (nine) of them have travel
history to the Canada, France, Netherlands, Spain and United Kingdom.
They returned to the country in the past 1 (one) week; the 10th case is a
close contact of a previously confirmed case.
The 3 (three) cases in the FCT are being treated at the University of Abuja
Teaching Hospital (UATH), Gwagwalada while the 7 (seven) new cases
in Lagos are being treated at the Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH), Yaba.
All 10 (ten) new cases have mild to moderate symptoms and are
currently receiving treatment.
As of the 21st of March 2020, 22 (twenty-two) cases have been
confirmed, 2 (two) cases have been discharged and there has been no
death from COVID-19 in Nigeria. The Federal Government of Nigeria
remains committed to working with states to provide optimal care for all
confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country.
Contact tracing is ongoing to identify all persons who have been in
contact with the new confirmed cases. The Port Health Services of the
Federal Ministry of Health has heightened screening at all air, land and
sea points of entry into Nigeria and adapted the protocols to reflect the
travel guidance issued by the Presidential Task Force on the Control of
Coronavirus (COVID-19).
The National Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) led by the Nigeria
Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) supported by partners continues to coordinate response activities and strengthen preparedness capacity
across states nationwide. An intensive national risk communications
campaign is ongoing to inform Nigerians about COVID-19. The Federal
Ministry of Health (FMoH) working closely with states and the Presidential
Task Force on the Control of Coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to review
response activities and institute measures to protect the health of
Nigerians.
It is important that Nigerians strictly adhere to social distancing and other
necessary precautions in place. These measures include taking the
following precautions below to protect yourself and your family:
i. Wash hands regularly with soap and water or use an alcohol-based
sanitiser if no water and soap is available
ii. Social distancing is crucial to reducing the spread of COVID-19
through;
▪ Use of no-touch greetings
▪ Maintaining at least 2 metres (5 feet) distance between yourself
and anyone who is coughing or sneezing
▪ Staying home if you feel unwell with symptoms like fever, cough
and difficulty in breathing. Immediately call NCDC’s 24/7 toll-free
number 0800 9700 0010. Do not self-medicate
▪ Avoiding or postponing events with large gatherings of people
including schools, workplaces, places of worship, crowded
supermarkets and pharmacies, social and sporting events
iii. Persons with a persistent cough or sneezing, should stay at home until
they recover
iv. Make sure you and people around you observe hand and respiratory
hygiene by:
▪ Covering your nose with tissue when sneezing or coughing.
Immediately dispose of tissue in a covered bin and wash your
hands with soap and water. Use an alcohol-based sanitiser if no
water and soap is available
▪ Coughing or sneezing into the sleeve of your bent elbow if no tissue
is available
v. Avoid all non-essential travel to all countries
The Federal Ministry of Health through the Nigeria Centre for Disease
Control will maintain a real-time update on new cases through the
website: covid19.ncdc.gov.ng. We will continue to provide updates as
and when they become available. The Federal Ministry of Health
reiterates its commitment to ensure the control of the COVID-19
outbreak in Nigeria.
Dr. E. Osagie Ehanire MD, FWACS
Honourable Minister of Health