The patient is an Italian citizen who works in Nigeria who returned from Milan to Lagos on the 25th at February 2020.
He was confirmed by the Virology Laboratory ot the Lagos University Teaching Hospital,which is part of the Laboratory Network at the Nigeria Center for Disease Control.
By this confirmation, Nigeria becomes the third country in Africa to have a confirmed case of coronavirus aside Egypt and Algeria and first in West Africa
Mnister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire who disclosed this in a statement noted that the patient is clinically stable, with no serious symptoms and is being managed at the lnfectectious Disease Hospital in Yaba, Lagos
Ehanire reminded Nigerians that most people who become infected may experience only mild illness and recover easily, while It can be more severe in others, particularly the elderly and person with other undetlying chronic illnesses.
The Minister observed that Government through the Federal Ministry of Health has been strengthening measures to ensure an outbreak in Nigeria is controlled and contained quuckly adding that the multi-sectovol Cownovirus Preparedness Group led by the Nigeria Centre tor Disease Control (NCDC) has immediately activated its National Emergency Opeiotions Centre and will work closely with Lagos State Health authorities to respond to this case and implement firm control measures.
He urged Nigerians not engage in self-medication.
