Italian Coronavirus Index Case In Nigeria Tests Negative

An Italian index case of coronavirus in Nigeria has tested negative.

Naija News reports that this was disclosed by the Governor of Lagos State, Nigeria’s commercial city, Babajide Sanwo-Olu in a series of tweets on the micro-blogging site, Twitter on Friday night, March 20.

The governor tweeted: “As the COVID-19 Incident Commander for Lagos, I am glad to inform you that the index case; the Italian gentleman is now negative. Through a combined effort of Lagos, Ogun State and Fed Health Authorities, we were able to limit the transmission of the virus to a single contact.

“This involved aggressive contact tracing and containment strategies. However, we now have several new imported cases and we hope we can apply the same contact tracing strategy along with social distancing to slow down the outbreak which may be brewing from these new cases.

“The index patient consented to donating one unit of white blood (plasma) before he was discharged today. The blood plasma is rich in antibody proteins that target #COVID19 virus. The white blood plasma is frozen in our Bio-bank and will be useful in handling new cases.

“The blood plasma will be beneficial for the treatment of new patients in the absence of a defined therapeutic drug for #COVID19 yet. The patient appreciated the exceptional care and support given to him by staff of the infectious Disease Hospital, Yaba and all members of the EOC.

“The EOC team was extremely happy to bid the patient farewell. Once again, we will like to convey the enthusiasm of the team to do the very best possible in handling incidents of #COVID19,” the tweet added.

As the COVID-19 Incident Commander for Lagos, I am glad to inform you that the index case; the Italian gentleman is now negative.

Through a combined effort of Lagos, Ogun State and Fed Health Authorities, we were able to limit the transmission of the virus to a single contact. pic.twitter.com/PDvAsLLAnP

— Babajide Sanwo-Olu (@jidesanwoolu) March 20, 2020

Meanwhile, Naija News recalls that the Federal Ministry of Health on Friday morning, February 28, confirmed the first case of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial city.

The Lagos coronavirus patient, an Italian, was confirmed to have the virus three days after he arrived in the country. He flew in from Milan, Italy, into Lagos before heading to Ogun state where he first showed symptoms of the disease.