Nigeria has confirmed a new case of coronavirus, four days after all of its previous patients recovered fully.
This latest patient is a 30 year-old Nigerian female who flew into Lagos from the UK on 13 March, the day Nigeria declared it was coronavirus free.
Lagos State Ministry of Health said in a statement that the patient is receiving care at Mainland General Hospital.
Nigerian officials said this latest case is “a new case independent of the index case” which signals that it is a fresh imported case.
Breaking!
Third case of #COVID19NIGERIA confirmed in Lagos.
– This is a new case independent of the index case
– 30 year old Nigerian, female
– Returned from the UK on 13th March
– Observed self-Isolation, developed symptoms
– Tested positive
– Now at Mainland GH receiving care pic.twitter.com/f8osZk4Ba4— LSMOH (@LSMOH) March 17, 2020
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation was the first in sub-Saharan Africa to record a case of the coronavirus in February.
It was also the first country to have all patients recover and be without any new case for days.
Unlike other African countries, Nigeria is yet to shut its borders to tourists from high risk countries.
There is a 3rd confirmed case of #COVID19 in Nigeria.
The new case is a Nigerian National who recently returned from the UK, self-isolated & contacted @NCDCGov when she developed symptoms. She is clinically stable. Read the press release below: pic.twitter.com/RqV1QASayX
— Dr. E. Osagie Ehanire MD, FWACS (@DrEOEhanire) March 17, 2020
Many African countries have all imposed travel restrictions, closed schools, ban public gatherings and religious activities to deal with the outbreak.
At least 30 African countries have now confirmed cases of coronavirus within their jurisdictions.
The total number of cases have now hit at least 413 with 8 fatalities, as more countries report of their first cases.
Source: Africafeeds.com
