Nigeria, with the help of the World Health Organization (WHO), has now acquired in-country capacity to test for Coronavirus, the Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire hs said.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) had said that the laboratories in the country lacked the capacity in terms of the reagents needed to test for any suspected case of the disease.
This minister in a statement signed by the ministry’s spokesperson, Enefaa Bob-Manuel on Sunday therefore advised all persons, who within 14 days of onset of illness, had any one of the following exposures, to report to the nearest hospital;
History of travel to China 14 days prior to onset of symptoms or, close contact with a confirmed case of Coronavirus infection or, Exposure to a health care facility anywhere, which is associated with Coronavirus infection.
“Such persons are to come forward to a hospital for testing.To be also tested are those with laboratory confirmation of corona 2019nCoV infection, with or without signs and symptoms of illness, the Minister stressed.
The minister advised all Healthcare workers who receive patients with symptoms like fever, cough, difficulty in breathing are to supply them masks and isolate, before contacting the Nigeria Center for Disease Control(NCDC) on 07032864444.
“Naso pharyngeal or throat swabs are to be collected for testing for Coronavirus at NCDC”, he said.
Ehanire however expressed appreciation to WHO for their support.
Godsgift Onyedinefu, Abuja
