COVID-19: Hiding Nigerians Must Come Out For Nigeria To Avoid China, Italy’s Situation – Minister Of Health

Nigeria’s Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire has said Nigerians who are hiding from being tested for the Coronavirus must come out. He said the nation has to avoid the unsavoury situations seen in China and Italy, who are the worst hit countries by the pandemic in the world.

Ehanire, in a Press briefing on Monday said that he’s sure Nigerians are still hiding and this is making transmission a possibility.

Citing the Italian index case, he said Nigeria would have easily curtailed the disease at its wake if there were no entrants tested positive for the virus.

“In less than 48 hours, the Italian who came to Nigeria (index case) was identified. The contacts we found from him were 179. They were all traced and monitored. Out of the 179, one was positive and put in isolation with the Italian. Both were cured and discharged,” he said.

“If other cases had not come to Nigeria, that would have been the end of COVID19 in Nigeria. But other cases came in that were not part of the first one. That is why we are saying that you do not compare what we have now with what we have in China or Italy.

“If we do not act fast, we could be heading in something dangerous like that (in China and Italy). They now transmit among themselves.

“We have to get those who have been infected now. If we don’t, it may be a serious burden in the system. I am sure some are hiding, they will not report for whatever reason. Nobody will be arrested or asked to pay anything.

“Those who are returning now are Nigerians. With the closure of our airports, we will reduce inflow of new cases and deal with the ones we already have.”