3 persons test positive as Coronavirus hits Abuja


Three persons have reportedly tested positive to COVID-19 in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

According to reports, the index case is an official of the Federal Inland Revenue Service and was one of the passengers on British Airways flight that landed on March 13, 2020.

It was learnt that two other cases of COVID-19 were confirmed.

The PUNCH reports that the three patients had been moved to the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital.

“The bad news is that three samples from the FCT suspected cases tested positive for coronavirus. We have got in touch with the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital and we are moving them immediately. We will give more details as soon as possible concerning their flights, contact tracing and other protocols,” it quoted a staff of the Teaching Hospital.

“COVID-19 is in Abuja now. One of the passengers on the British Airways flight works with the FIRS and he is among those who tested positive. His wife tested negative. We are hoping that all biometric sign in at the FIRS headquarters in Wuse Zone 5 stops with immediate effect.”

Should the tests be confirmed officially by the ministry, this would imply that Nigeria has 15 official cases of COVID-19.

The Director-General of the NCDC, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, neither responded to calls nor a text message as of the time of filing this report.

 NCDC’s social media accounts is yet to make any statement.