The Lagos State Ministry of Health says it is currently investigating a suspected case of Coronavirus, now designated as COVID-19 by the World Health Organisation.
The affected Chinese, who returned seven weeks ago from China to Nigeria, has been isolated at the Mainland Hospital, Lagos.
The Ministry made the disclosure on its official Twitter account on Wednesday night.
The ministry, however, called for calm, while urging Lagos residents not to panic as there was no confirmed case of Coronavirus yet in Lagos as at today.
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It advised citizens to disregard any information about COVID-19 that did not emanate from the ministry, Nigerian Centre for Diseases Control and the Federal Ministry of Health.
The ministry reassured residents that its vigilance levels were high and putting more measures in place to safeguard the state.
Meanwhile, Reddington Hospital, where the suspect reported for treatment for symptoms of malaria, has responded to the development.
In a statement by its Group Medical Director, Dr. Olutunde Lalude, the hospital said: “It has come to the attention of the management of the Reddington hospital that rumours are circulating on social media of a case of coronavirus (COVID-19) at the Reddington hospital Ikeja.
We would like to assure the public that there has been NO confirmed case of coronavirus at ANY of the branches of the Reddington hospital as of today 26 February 2020.
“In the early hours of Wednesday 26 February, 2020, a Chinese national presented to Ikeja branch of Reddington Hospital 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.
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, samples were taken using full prescribed precautions and sent to the Lagos State authorised virology laboratory for analysis and diagnosis.
The results of the tests will be made available on or the next 48 hours. . The patient has since been transferred to Lagos State Infectious Disease Hospital at Yaba for further observation while results of tests are being awaited.
“It is to be emphasised that the risk is thought to be low and so far the patient HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH CORONAVIRUS DISEASE.
“The Reddington team acted in a highly professional manner and in absolute compliance with international standards.
We thank all staff for their diligence and professionalism in dealing with this case. We will continue to pursue strict surveillance of all patients and visitors in all our branches
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