After hours of unconfirmed reports on social media, the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) has confirmed 10 (ten) new cases of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Nigeria.
Three of the new cases are in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja and seven of the new cases in Lagos State.
But there are unverified reports that the number in the FCT is much higher, just as the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has denied reports one of its senior officials has tested positive.
The statement from the Federal Ministry of Health reads further: This brings the total number of confirmed cases in Nigeria to 22 (twenty-two).
“All 10 (ten) new cases are Nigerian nationals; 9 (nine) of them have travel history to the Canada, France, Netherlands, Spain and United Kingdom.
“They returned to the country in the past 1 (one) week; the 10th case is a
close contact of a previously confirmed case.
“The 3 (three) cases in the FCT are being treated at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH), Gwagwalada while the 7 (seven) new cases in Lagos are being treated at the Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH), Yaba.
“All 10 (ten) new cases have mild to moderate symptoms and are currently receiving treatment.
“As of the 21st of March 2020, 22 (twenty-two) cases have been confirmed, 2 (two) cases have been discharged and there has been no death from COVID-19 in Nigeria.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria
remains committed to working with states to provide optimal care for all
confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country.
“Contact tracing is ongoing to identify all persons who have been in
contact with the new confirmed cases.
“The Port Health Services of the
Federal Ministry of Health has heightened screening at all air, land and
sea points of entry into Nigeria and adapted the protocols to reflect the travel guidance issued by the Presidential Task Force on the Control of Coronavirus (COVID-19).”