NIGERIA HAS recorded its first death from COVID 19.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), said the person who died was a 67-year-old male who had recently to the West African country following a medical procedure in the UK.

He had underlying medical conditions- multiple myeloma and diabetes and was undergoing chemotherapy.

His family is now under quarantine in their house.

Nigeria’s Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, told reporters at a press briefing in Abuja: “Sadly, we recorded our first death from COVID-19 in the country. This was a Nigerian who unfortunately, had underlying medical illnesses and died due to complications on the 22nd of March in Abuja.” 

The West African nation has so far 36 confirmed cases of the disease.

More measures may be instituted by the federal and state government in the coming days as the situation demands

Dr. Osagie Ehanire

Explaining the figures further, Dr. Osagie Ehanire said that of the 36 cases, 26 had travel history to affected countries in the last 2 weeks, 6 are contacts of confirmed cases and 4 have no recent travel history or known contact.Yesterday (March 23) a ban was placed on all international flights with the exception of emergency and essential flights

Dr Ehanire said that the travel ban was as a result of the declaration of a pandemic by WHO and increased the spread of COVID-19.

He said: “These were not easy decisions to make but have become necessary in view of the changing developments in the country as we witness more confirmed cases of COVID-19. More measures may be instituted by the federal and state government in the coming days as the situation demands.”

He stated that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) is working closely with the state governments of all affected states to carry out contact tracing and advised all health facilities to be on high alert and for state, local government, law enforcement authorities and community leaders to give full cooperation to investigators.
 
He also urged all Nigerian residents to maintain social distancing and other hygiene measures very seriously, to prevent the spread of the disease in Nigeria, stressing the need for self-isolation for 14 days on return from international travel.