Nigeria’s Minister
of Health, Osagie Ehanire, has admitted that except they act fast, the spread
of COVID-19 could be similar to outbreaks in Italy and China.
Ehanire, briefing
reporters on Monday, disclosed that 179 persons had contact with the Italian,
who brought the first case of coronavirus to Nigeria.
The Minister noted
that only one contact with the index patient tested positive.
“In less than 48
hours, the Italian who came to Nigeria (index case) was identified. The
contacts we found for him were 179. They were all traced and monitored. Out of
the 179, one was positive and put in isolation with the Italian. Both were
cured and discharged.
“If other cases had
not come to Nigeria, that would have been the end of COVID19 in Nigeria. But
other cases came in that were not part of the first one. That is why we are
saying that you do not compare what we have now with what we have in China or
Italy. If we do not act fast, we could be heading in something dangerous like
that (in China and Italy). They now transmit among themselves.
“We have to get
those who have been infected now. If we don’t, it may be a serious burden in
the system. I am sure some are hiding, they will not report for whatever
reason. Nobody will be arrested or asked to pay anything. Those who are
returning now are Nigerians. With the closure of our airports, we will reduce
inflow of new cases and deal with the ones we already have,” Ehanire said.
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