Coronavirus: Nigeria to Host Capacity Training for Africa’s Response

NCDC: 2 suspects tested negative at our laboratory

The World Health Organization (WHO) has selected Nigeria to lead the rest of Africa in capacity training on surveillance and treatment of the Coronavirus.

Speaking at a weekly press briefing on the state of affairs on the fight against Coronavirus, the Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control( NC DC ), Dr. Chi k we Ihekweazu said that the country have been asigned a leading role in the efforts to keep Coronavirus at bay in Africa.

"On behalf of Africa Centre for Disease Control, Nigeria has been asked to lead in the training on the infection detection and control for the continent," he said.

Ihekweazu said there will be a training programme beginning from January 20 in Nigeria on response plans with other African countries in attendance.

Speaking on efforts to keep Nigeria safe from Coronavirus infection the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire said the federal government is taking the matter very seriously and has provided funds needed for preventive measures.

He said that the country has five specialist reference laboratories where suspected cases of Coronavirus can be handled, adding that effort is currently on to identify and create a network of suitably equipped laboratories across the country that will ensure quick response to disease emergencies.

Ehanire also spoke of ongoing research efforts aimed at producing vaccines against Lassa fever and Coronavirus.

He said that Nigeria scientists are not left out of the research endeavor.

While reassuring Nigerians on the state of things, Chikwe said: "We are working in synergy with other African countries and we are barely confident that we don't have a Coronavirus in the country at present and if we do, we know well what to do to respond to it".

Chikwe who was asked by the minister to respond to questions posed by journalists during the briefing, said that out of 30 calls for investigation so far received by the centre, "two met the criteria for investigation and were tested but found negative while two cases are still being examined.

" We have given out 24- hour free helplines for people to call us on any suspended incidence and so far we have received over 30 call for investigation and out of these number, two have been investigated and found negative, while two cases are undergoing examination, " he said

He said that unlike other illnesses that patients are advised to visit the hospital, NCDC team usually responds quuckly to any call for suspected cases of Coronavirus by visiting the person so that it does not escalate.

"Once we receive any call, our team moves immediately to see the patient at his house," he said

Explaining why the authorities have not considered forcefully quarantining people coming into Nigeria, Ihekweazu said the government is being careful not to be seen as over-reacting.