Italian index case of Coronavirus in Nigeria leaves hospital

He was seen in a photograph with Prof Akin Abayomi, the state Commissioner for Health attached to a series of tweets by the Gov Jide Sanwo-Olu, late on Friday.

The Tweet said that Nigerian health autho

The Lagos State government has confirmed the discharge of Nigeria’s index Coronavirus patient.

The patient, who is an Italian, has been receiving treatment at the Infectious Disease Hospital in Yaba, after testing positive to COVID-19 on February 28.

Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, confirmed the development in a series of tweets on Friday.

In a picture accompanying his tweets, the Italian was seen with the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, and other health officials.

“As the COVID-19 Incident Commander for Lagos, I am glad to inform you that the index case; the Italian gentleman is now negative.

“Through a combined effort of Lagos, Ogun State and Fed Health Authorities, we were able to limit the transmission of the virus to a single contact,” the governor said.

According to Sanwo-Olu, the process involved “contact tracing and containment strategies.”

He further noted that the state has recorded new imported cases of the disease, stressing that the government will still apply the same method to reduce its spread.

“The index patient consented to donate one unit of white blood (plasma) before he was discharged today. The blood plasma is rich in antibody proteins that target #COVID19 virus.

“The white blood plasma is frozen in our Bio-bank and will be useful in handling new cases. The blood plasma will be beneficial for the treatment of new patients in the absence of a defined therapeutic drug for #COVID19 yet.

“The index patient appreciated the exceptional care and support given to him by the staff of the mainland Infectious Disease Hospital, Yaba, all members of the EOC.

“The EOC team was extremely happy to bid the patient farewell. Once again, we like to convey the enthusiasm of our team to do the very best possible in handling incidents of Coronavirus,” he said.

Announcing this on his Twitter Handle, @jidesanwoolu, Gov Sanwo-Olu said; “As the COVID-19 Incident Commander for Lagos, I am glad to inform you that the index case; the Italian gentleman is now negative.

“Through a combined effort of Lagos, Ogun State and Fed Health Authorities, we were able to limit the transmission of the virus to a single contact,” he added.

Sanwo-Olu said that this involved aggressive contact tracing and containment strategies. “However we now have several new imported cases and we hope we can apply the same contact tracing strategy along with social distancing to slow down the outbreak which may be brewing from these new cases.”

The Governor’s Tweet further read: “The index patient consented to donating one unit of white blood (plasma) before he was discharged today. The blood plasma is rich in antibody proteins that target #COVID19 virus.

“The white blood plasma is frozen in our Bio-bank and will be useful in handling new cases.

“The blood plasma will be beneficial for the treatment of new patients in the absence of a defined therapeutic drug for #COVID19 yet.

“The patient appreciated the exceptional care and support given to him by the staff of the Infectious Disease Hospital, Yaba and all members of the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC).

It added; ” The EOC team was extremely happy to bid the patient farewell.

“Once again, we will like to convey the enthusiasm of the team to do the very best possible in handling incidents of #COVID19.”   (Saturday Independent)