The Lagos State Ministry of Health has said the Chinese national who presented Reddington Hospital Ikeja sick has been isolated at Mainland Hospital, and that result of blood samples taken for investigation is being awaited.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports a Chinese national (names withheld), who arrived in Nigeria from China seven weeks ago presented to Reddington Hospital, Ikeja complaining of fever in the early hours of Wednesday, sparking Coronavirus scare.
Following the incident, the Lagos State Ministry of Health assured that vigilance levels are high, and that more measures are being put in place to safeguard the State to forestall outbreak of the Coronavirus disease.
“We are currently investigating. Patient Isolated at Mainland Hospital. Blood samples taken for investigation. We await result… there is no confirmed case of Coronavirus in Lagos as at today.
“We would like to reassure Lagosians that our vigilance levels are high and we are putting more measures in place to safe guard our State,” the Lagos State Ministry of Health tweeted.
Meanwhile, Group Medical Director of Reddington Hospital Group, Dr Olutunde Lalude had said standard operating procedure for potential coronavirus patients was maintained in isolating the Chinese national.
Dr. Lalude, who assured that there has been no confirmed case of coronavirus at any of the branches of the Reddington hospital as of today 26 February 2020, said the Chinese national was immediately isolated as a precautionary measure.
“In the early hours of Wednesday 26 February 2020, a Chinese national presented to Reddington Hospital, Ikeja complaining of fever.
“Following standard protocol it was ascertained that he had arrived in Nigeria from China seven weeks ago and had not been in contact with anyone else who might have coronavirus.
“As a precautionary measure, staff immediately isolated him in accordance with the hospital’s standard operating procedure for potential coronavirus patients,” he said.
According to the medical director, the State public health authorities were promptly informed and involved.
“Despite the risk being assessed to be relatively low according to the currently available science regarding incubation period, blood samples were taken using full prescribed precautions,” Lalude said.
He said the blood samples were sent to the Lagos State authorised virology laboratory for analysis and diagnosis.
“The results of the tests will be available tomorrow. The patient has been transferred to the Infections Disease Hospital while the results are awaited.
“It is to be emphasised that the risk is thought to be low and so far patient has not been diagnosed with Coronavirus disease,” Lalude said.
He stressed that the Reddington team acted in a highly professional manner and in absolute compliance with international standards.