Key reason Benue index case was discharged

The National Hospital, Abuja has explained excessively the reason the Benue COVID-19 index case, Susan Idoko-Okpe was discharged.

Mrs Idoko Okpe who is a Nigerian-British arrived in Nigeria from the United Kingdom on March 22 for a burial ceremony.

The 58-year-old was tested for the virus and her result came back positive according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC.

However, she protested that the positive COVID-19 test result, which led to her being taken to the Benue State Isolation Centre in Makurdi on March 27 and subsequently to the National Hospital in Abuja, did not belong to her.

Onyxnews Nigeria reports that in a statement in Abuja on Friday, the Deputy Director and Head of Information and Protocol for the hospital, Mr Tayo Haastrup said no COVID-19 patient was detained in the hospital.

Haastrup said more than 35 patients were admitted at different times and 27 of them had been discharged successfully.

According to him, the only patient, who refused treatment, stayed beyond 45 days remained asymptomatic.

Though Haastrup made mention of no name, Mrs Idoko-Okpe had claimed that she was released despite testing positive for coronavirus.

Mr Haastrup said, “All our patients were discharged within three weeks of admission, following treatment with their full cooperation and in line with the National Centre for Disease Control protocol on case management.

“We want to make it clear to the public that no patient is being detained in the hospital.”

Haastrup said with the review of protocol for isolation with the Ministry of Health and NCDC, it was agreed that patients, who remained asymptomatic beyond 45 days, could be allowed to go home on self-isolation.

He said with such a review, “a repeat test could be done after five to 10 days, to confirm if the patient has become negative”.

The national hospital spokesperson said the hospital would continue to support the government in the treatment of coronavirus (COVID-19) patients.

Haastrup also advised people to obey the laid down rules and guidelines by the National Committee on COVID-19 to avoid further spread of the deadly virus in the community.

Meanwhile, Onyxnews Nigeria reported few days ago that Mrs Idoko-Okpe’s children cried out that NCDC should release their mother from long term and isolation.