JUST IN: Oyo state records first case of coronavirus

Oyo State, a state located in the southwest Nigeria, has recorded its first coronavirus (COVID-19) case.

Onyxnewsng reports that the Oyo State government confirmed the suspected coronavirus case as positive in a statement released on the micro-blogging site, Twitter on Sunday, 22 March by the State Governor, Seyi Makinde.

This online news platform understands that the first coronavirus in Oyo is a returnee from the United Kingdom whose initial tests had shown negative for the virus.

Governor Makinde said in the statement that further tests have proven the UK returnee positive and further disclose that the suspected case in Ekiti who died due to unknown reasons also slept in a hotel in Ona-Ara local government. He added that a returnee from the United States has also been placed on self-isolation after showing signs of the deadly virus.

According to the Oyo State Governor, the result was released at 17:35 PM of March 21, 2020. He added that the Oyo State Public Health Officials are working together with the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan’s team on the case.

The statement reads as thus; “The COVID-19 confirmation test for the suspected case at Bodija has come back POSITIVE. The result was released at 17:35 PM of March 21, 2020. Oyo State Public Health Officials are collaborating with the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan’s team on the case.

“A follow up on the Ekiti COVID-19 case revealed that the deceased was picked up directly from Lagos Airport to a private apartment in Ona Ara Local Government Area.

“The Health Authorities have contacted the family concerned and the community has been alerted for intensified contact tracing and self-isolation of identified close contacts. The information given that he stayed in some hotels in Ibadan has been found to be untrue.

“Another returnee from Texas, USA, has also been identified at Oluyole Local Government Area. She has been kept in self-isolation with close monitoring by the State Epidemiological Team. All recent returnees are again urged to identify themselves to Ministry Officials and self-isolate for 14 days.

“We have released funds for:
a. Activation of Emergency Operation Centre at the Ministry of Health.

b. Establishment of Diagnostic Centre for screening of Coronavirus and other related infectious diseases to be stationed at the UCH, Ibadan.

“Equipping of the newly designated Oyo State Infectious Disease Centre at Olodo that has the capacity for over 100 cases.

“Oyo State Ministry of Health Helplines: 08038210122/ 08023229267/ 08073431342,”the statement added.

OYO STATE COVID-19 TASK FORCE UPDATE (MARCH 21, 2020) pic.twitter.com/p6zWDkw1vc

— Seyi Makinde (@seyiamakinde) March 21, 2020

Though, coronavirus in Oyo makes the initial twenty two cases, now twenty three cases of the pandemic disease in Nigeria.