Coronavirus spreads to Abuja as cases rise to 22 in Nigeria

Osagie Ehanire

The Federal Ministry of Health has confirmed 10 new cases of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19), three in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and seven cases in Lagos.

This brings the total number of confirmed cases in Nigeria to 22.

According to the ministry, all 10 new cases are Nigerian nationals; nine of them have travel history to the Canada, France, Netherlands, Spain and United Kingdom.

They returned to the country in the past one week. The 10th case, it said, 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,” the ministry said on Saturday.

“All 10 (ten) new cases have mild to moderate symptoms and are currently receiving treatment.”

Since the virus was first imported into the country by an Italian, there has been no death from Covid-19.

The Italian and one other person, a Nigerian, have been discharged from the hospital after testing negative.

“Contact tracing is ongoing to identify all persons who have been in contact with the new confirmed cases,” it added.

“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.”