Nigerian footballer contracts Coronavirus, COVID-19

LAGOS, Nigeria – A Nigerian footballer with the name, King Paul Akpan Udoh based in Italy has become the first footballer to contract the Coronavirus, COVID-19.

The Nigerian, who is a citizen of Italy, plays for Pianese, an Italian Serie C side. He was diagnosed with the epidemic on February 27, 2020 in Italy.

The Coronavirus which has ravaged so many countries in Europe, Asia as well as the United States and Brazil has one case confirmed in Nigeria, of an Italian, who was diagnosed at the Lagos University Hospital, LUTH and is currently quarantined at the Disease Hospital, Yaba.

Read also NATIONS ON HIGH ALERT to see how far  coronavirus has travelled.

Speaking on the incident in Lagos, the Commissioner for Health, Prof Akin Abayomi said the case is an Italian citizen who entered Nigeria on the 25th of February from Milan, Italy for a brief business visit.

“He fell ill on the 26th February and was transferred to Lagos State Biosecurity Facilities for isolation and testing.  COVID-19 infection was confirmed by the Virology Laboratory of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, part of the Laboratory Network of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control. The patient is clinically stable, with no serious symptoms, and is being managed at the Infectious Disease Hospital in Yaba, Lagos.  
 

“The Government of Lagos State under the Governor as the COVID-19 Incident Commander, through the Lagos State Ministry of Health, has been strengthening measures to ensure that any outbreak in Lagos is controlled and contained quickly in collaboration with the multi-sectoral Coronavirus Preparedness Group, led by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). We have immediately activated the State Emergency Operations Centre to respond to this case and implement firm control measures”, he said.

 
The commissioner assured assure all Lagosians and Nigerians that Lagos has been strengthening its preparedness since the first confirmation of cases in China.

“We will use all the resources made available by the State and the Federal Government to respond to this case. We are working to identify all the contacts of the patient, since he arrived in Nigeria. Please, be reminded that most people who become infected may experience only a mild illness and recover easily, but it can be more severe in others, particularly the elderly and persons with other underlying chronic illnesses.

All Lagosians should take care of their health and maintain hand and respiratory hygiene to protect themselves and others, including their own families, following the precautions below:

1.    Regularly and thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water, and use alcohol-based hand sanitiser.

2.    Maintain at least 1 & half metres (5 feet) distance between you apnd anyone who is coughing or sneezing.

3. People coughing persistently or sneezing should stay indoors or keep a social distance, but not mix with a crowd.

4. Ensure that you and people around you follow good respiratory hygiene by   covering mouths and noses with a handkerchief or tissue while sneezing or coughing. You can also sneeze  or cough into your sleeve at the bent elbow.Then dispose of the used tissue immediately.

5. Stay indoors if you feel unwell with symptoms, such as fever, cough and difficulty in breathing. Please call Lagos State Emergency hotlines 08023169485 or 08033565529 or 08052817243 which are available day and night.

6. Stay informed on the latest developments about COVID-19 through official channels on TV and Radio, the Social Media, including the Lagos State Ministry of Health, NCDC and Federal Ministry of Health.
 

He said citizens must not abuse social media and indulge in spreading misinformation that causes fear and panic and that the Lagos State Ministry of Health, in collaboration with Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, will continue to provide updates and will initiate all measures required to prevent the spread of any outbreak in Lagos.