FG declares capacity to test sample

The Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, has assured Nigerians of the nation’s preparedness to tackle the deadly coronavirus, saying that Nigeria now has the capacity to test the virus samples

The World Health Organisation on Thursday declared coronavirus a global emergency with first death confirmed outside China where the first case of the virus was reported on December 31, 2019.

In a statement signed by the Head of Media and Public Relations at the ministry, Enefaa Bob-Manuel, the minister said the feat was achieved with the help of the World Health Organisation.

The statement came just as the National Centre for Disease Control in a tweet credited to the commission’s Director-General, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, on Sunday said that the National Reference Laboratory had been validated to test for the virus sample.

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The statement read, “Nigeria, with the help of WHO, has now acquired in-country capacity to test for coronavirus (sample). The Minister of Health, Dr. Ehanire, expressed appreciation to the WHO for their support and again called on those coming from China in the past fortnight to self-isolate for at least 14 days to protect their families and communities.

“Such persons, who develop fever, cough, sore throat or difficulty in breathing, should report to the nearest hospital. All health-care workers who receive patients with symptoms like fever, cough, and difficulty in breathing are to supply them with masks and isolate them before contacting the NCDC on 07032864444