COVID-19: Osun Gov. Confirms Index Case, Reveal Wife’s Test Result

Governor Adegboyega Oyetola of Osun State in a statement on Wednesday, March 25 regrettably confirmed the first case of Coronavirus in the state, adding that the test carried out on him and his wife has come out negative.

Naija News understands that Oyetola made the disclosure at a press conference held on Wednesday at the government house in capital city of the state, Osogbo.

He said, “Sadly, I want to say that we have the first confirmed case of the novel Coronavirus in the State. It was confirmed by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC.

“The case is a returnee from the United Kingdom and is currently receiving treatment.”

“The sample was tested at NCDC accredited Testing Centre, which is the African Centre of Excellence in Genomics of Infectious Diseases, Ede, Osun and the result returned positive on Tuesday night”.

Oyetola further revealed that all other suspected cases of the deadly virus in the state has been confirmed negative after thorough investigation.

However, the family of the individual whose test result was confirmed positive has been reached and the state government is already making efforts to trace those who he made contact with before he was detected, Oyetola revealed.

Speaking on why his family were examined of the virus, Oyetola said: “Considering the fact that I was in Abuja for the better part of last week, as a way of leading by example, I have also subjected myself to test. My wife, because of her recent travel history also subjected herself to test. Both came back negative.

“To this end, I want to passionately encourage all returnees from UK, US, Europe, the West African Coast and indeed other high-risk countries to self-isolate and submit themselves to test, so as to assist the government in containing the spread of the virus.”

“To further contain the spread, the following measures take immediate effect: One, a Taskforce has been set up to man all land borders and conduct preliminary screening.

“Two, all major markets will be shut down with effect from Friday, March 27. However, traders are allowed to sell food items in front of their houses. Pharmacies are also exempted from this ban. Three, the ban on public gatherings, church services, Mosques, social events and political meetings among others remain in force.

“Fellow citizens and residents of our dear State, do not to panic, the case is under control. I want to urge you all to continue to observe necessary precautionary measures by regularly washing your hands with water and soap and also maintain the prescribed social distance.”

“As part of our efforts to curb the spread of Coronavirus in the State, we have set up holding centres and the one in Asubiaro Specialist Hospital, Osogbo, is up and running, to isolate and treat suspected and reported cases of the virus in the State”, Oyetola concluded.”

Meanwhile, Naija News had reported earlier that Nigeria’s Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), has tested negative to the deadly Coronavirus (COVID-19).