Nigeria Saturday, confirmed 10 new cases of Coronavirus code-named COVID-19 in Lagos and the FCT.
The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, who disclosed this on Saturday on his tweeter handle @drEOEhanire, stated: “Nigeria has recorded 10 new cases of COVID19 in Lagos and FCT.
READ ALSO: Coronavirus: Germany records 2,705 cases in one day
“That is a total of 22 cases in Nigeria: Lagos 16, FCT 3, Ekiti 1 and Ogun 2. Two have been discharged.
All cases are clinically stable and receiving adequate care.”
Meanwhile, Ehanire while giving a breakdown of the development in an official statement stated that all 10 (ten) new cases are Nigerian nationals; 9 (nine) of them have travel history to the Canada, France, Netherlands, Spain and United Kingdom.
The statement reads: “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.
READ ALSO: Local gin, dogoyaro can’t prevent Coronavirus, expert warns
“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).
READ ALSO: Breaking: Oyedepo suspends Church services, Mothers’ Day Celebration over Coronavirus
“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.”
On preventive measure
The statement noted that the don’t worry just go down 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” the statement added
