Recall that only a few weeks ago, Nigeria confirmed her first case of Coronavirus in an Italian man who returned from Italy, which is the hardest-hit country in Europe.
The minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire confirmed then that the first case had been recorded. The Italian man flew into Lagos on 25 February and tested positive for the virus on 27 February at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital.
After arriving in Lagos, he travelled to Ogun State before returning to Lagos where he was confirmed to be carrying the virus.
Dr. Ehanire has now confirmed that the second case of the virus in Nigeria has been confirmed in a man who works as a vendor for Lafarge Africa PLC. The second person was in contact with the Italian man prior to his infection.
Ehanire said during a press statement: “It is my duty, therefore, to announce a new case of coronavirus disease (CIVID-19) in Nigeria.
“One of the important response strategies at the containment stage has been to identify all contacts, ensure their strict isolation, and to follow up daily with checks for any symptoms of the disease.
“Following recent experience from other countries and evident from newly published studies on non-symptomatic infections, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), advised that samples should be taken from all contacts of the index case for testing.
“It is in this process that these two cases were detected.”
The Lagos Health Commissioner, Akin Abayomi, said on Saturday that authorities were having trouble tracking down the people who were on the flight with the Italian.
Members of the public are advised not to panic and to practice handwashing. People should also use alcohol-based hand sanitizers frequently and keep a distance of at least five feet from coughing or sneezing people.
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