BREAKING: Fresh cases of coronavirus confirmed in Abuja

Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, has recorded three cases of coronavirus (COVID-19).

According to Punch, the index case is an official of the Federal Inland Revenue Service and was one of the passengers on British Airways flight that landed on March 13, 2020.

Onyxnewsng learnt that two other cases of COVID-19 were confirmed.

The online news platform understands that a medical doctor told The PUNCH that the three patients had been moved to the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital.

He said, “The bad news is that three samples from the FCT (Federal Capital Territory) suspected cases tested positive for coronavirus. We have got in touch with the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital and we are moving them immediately. We will give more details as soon as possible concerning their flights, contact tracing and other protocols.

“COVID-19 is in Abuja now. One of the passengers on the British Airways flight works with the FIRS and he is among those who tested positive. His wife tested negative. We are hoping that all biometric sign in at the FIRS headquarters in Wuse Zone 5 stops with immediate effect.”

Onyxnewsng gathered that a reliable source said the case had been reported to the Federal Ministry of Health.

He, however, said the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control would do its own fresh round of testing before the public would be notified.

The official said, “Yes, we were notified on Friday about three cases by a hospital in Abuja. We are doing our own round of testing because we cannot rely on their own result and we don’t want to cause panic among Nigerians.

“The minister of health will make the official announcement once we are very sure.”

Should the tests be confirmed formally by the ministry, this would imply that Nigeria has 15 cases of COVID-19.

The Director-General of the NCDC, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, neither responded to calls nor a text message as of the time of filing this publication.

In another development in Imo state, Governor Uzodinma has appointed Prof Maurice Iwu, a former chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and professor of pharmacognosy, as the chairman of the 9-member Committee on Prevention of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the state.

Other members of the committee include:
Dr Okeji Austin (Ministry of Health) – secretary,
Dr Kingsley Achigbu (Fed Medical Centre) – member
Dr Uduji Uchenna (Imo Specialist Hospital) – member
Dr Duru Chukwuma (IMSUTH) – member
Prof. Isaiah Ibe (University of Benin) – member
Ms Nkem Chimeze Ijere (Public Health) – member
Dr Chimezie Iwuala – member
Dr Kyrian Duruewuru (Chairman NMA-Imo chapter) – member.

While addressing Imo citizens in a broadcast on Friday night, Governor Uzodinma revealed the steps to tackle the deadly disease and to ensure that the” virus does not find a breeding space in Imo state.”