4 Chinese quarantined in Plateau test negative to coronavirus

The four Chinese nationals placed in quarantine on Saturday over suspicion of coronavirus have all tested negative to the disease.

This was made known on Monday by the Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, at a press conference, where he also revealed, that they have all “been tested at the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control reference laboratory and they are all negative for coronavirus infection.”

The Minister also gave an update on the coronavirus index case in Lagos as well as other cases of the deadly virus recorded in Ogun and Plateau States.

Speaking at the news conference in Abuja on Monday, the Minister of Health said that the Italian citizen who returned to Lagos with the virus is responding very well to treatment at the infectious diseases hospital in Yaba, Lagos State.

Ehanire also added that all who had contacts with the index case, both in Lagos and Ogun states, are currently being managed, as none of the suspected cases has tested positive to the virus.

The minister who warned the public against panicking, assured citizens of the Federal Government’s preparedness to contain the virus, added that about 40 persons who came in contact with a Chinese miner in Plateau State, are all under close monitoring.

“We should all remain calm and avoid panic at this time,” Ehanire said.

READ ALSO: Cross River places Indian, two Chinese under close observation for coronavirus

“Everyone should regularly and thoroughly wash hands with soap or use alcohol-based sanitisers to disinfect their hands, maintain one-metre distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing. This is called social distancing.

“Make sure you and the people around you follow good respiratory hygiene, which means covering your mouth and your nose with a handkerchief or tissue when you cough or sneeze, or if you do not have any of those immediately at hand, cough and sneeze into your bent elbow; immediately dispose of used tissue after use,” the minister added.

This development comes after the Kano State government led by Governor Abdullahi Ganduje moved to upgrade the Yargaya Health Dedication Centre in a bid to fight a possible coronavirus outbreak in Northern Nigeria.

This was revealed by the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Aminu Ibrahim Tsanyawa who told newsmen on Sunday that Kano State has taken a bold step to ensure that the state is completely free of coronavirus.

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