Italian Man Who Brought COVID-19 Virus to Nigeria Discharged

Emmanuel AmudaMarch 21, 2020

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Italian Man Who Brought COVID-19 Virus to Nigeria Discharged

The Italian man who brought the deadly COVID-19 virus to Nigeria has been discharged after testing negative for the virus from the Infectious Disease Hospital in Yaba, Lagos.

This was disclosed by Lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Friday night on his verified twitter handle.

Sanwo-Olu tweets:

“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.”

“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 patient with Akin Abayomi, Lagos commissioner for health, and health workers at the hospital shortly before he was discharged.**

Recall that the man flew into Nigeria from Milan, Italy, on February 24. He had reportedly lodged at a hotel close to Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja, Lagos, before moving to Lafarge Africa Plc, Ewekoro in Ogun state, the next day.

He fell sick on the third day of his stay in the country and tested positive for the disease two days after.

Subsequently, 39 people who had contact with him were quarantined but one of them tested positive for the disease while others were discharged but the Nigerian who contracted the disease later recovered.

Commenting on the release of the man from the hospital, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the governor, said the patient donated one unit of white blood (plasma) that would be used in treating other patients.

Nigeria currently has 12 confirmed cases of the disease.