Covid-19 Coronavirus Spreads in Africa

The Federal Ministry of Health in Nigeria confirmed a Covid-19 coronavirus case in Lagos, the biggest city on the African Continent. According to the ministry, an Italian who entered Nigeria on 25 February from Milan, for a brief business visit was found to have the virus after falling ill.

Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, said the patient fell ill on the second day of his arrival in Lagos and was transferred to Lagos State Biosecurity Facilities for isolation and testing.

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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 declaration has elicited various reactions on Twitter Nigeria

Let's set our differences aside &stand AS ONE to fight this evil plague called #coronavirus that has afflicted our shores.The FG must be pro-active& we must do our part &pray. May God defend our people &protect our shores.#CoronaVirusUpdates #coronavirusus #coronavirusnigeria

— Femi Fani-Kayode (@realFFK) February 28, 2020

This shouldn't concern only those in Lagos. The patient might have made contacts with people at the airport who travelled to other cities.

Take these tips seriously. Chineke zọpụta anyị n'aka ọrịa nke a bikonu?.#CoronaVirusUpdates #CoronavirusOutbreak #coronavirusnigeria pic.twitter.com/cgfXtT6SVg

— ChudeeTheNerd Jay (@UtaziJay) February 28, 2020

The easiest way to control this thing now is a 2 week state of emergency and self quarantine from Monday possibly. But of course govt will wait until it is out of control. #coronavirusnigeria

— ZaddyJide (@JideSocialMedia) February 28, 2020

The new case in Nigeria is part of a broader trend that represents a turning point in the Covid-19 epidemic. More than 50 countries are now reporting Covid-19 cases — a jump from 26 a week ago. On Thursday, the World Health Organization announced that, in the days prior, the number of new cases reported in the rest of the world had exceeded the number reported from China, where the virus seems to have originated. This includes large outbreaks in Iran, Italy, and South Korea.

(With inputs PMNewsNigeria & VOX)