CORONAVIRUS: Italian index case discharged, donates white blood plasma for treatment of others

The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Friday night, announced the discharge of the Italian COVID-19 index case from the Infectious Diseases Hospital, Yaba, after he turned negative.

The governor, who disclosed this on his Twitter handle, @jidesanwoolu on Friday night, also said the Italian donated one unit of his white blood plasma, which has proven to be effective in combating the virus.

The white blood plasma, according to Sanwo-Olu, would be useful in treating new cases.

He tweeted: “As the COVID-19 Incident Commander for Lagos, I am glad to inform you that the index case; the Italian gentleman is now negative.

“Through a combined effort of Lagos, Ogun State and Fed Health Authorities, we were able to limit the transmission of the virus to a single contact.

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“This involved aggressive contact tracing and containment strategies. However we now have several new imported cases and we hope we can apply the same contact tracing strategy along with social distancing to slow down the outbreak which may be brewing from these new cases.

“The index patient consented to donating one unit of white blood (plasma) before he was discharged today. The blood plasma is rich in antibody proteins that target #COVID19 virus.

“The white blood plasma is frozen in our Bio-bank and will be useful in handling new cases.

“The blood plasma will be beneficial for the treatment of new patients in the absence of a defined therapeutic drug for #COVID19 yet.

“The patient appreciated the exceptional care and support given to him by staff of the infectious Disease Hospital,Yaba and all members of the EOC

“The EOC team was extremely happy to bid the patient farewell.

“Once again, we will like to convey the enthusiasm of the team to do the very best possible in handling incidents of #COVID19.”

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