28th February, 2020
By Nimot Adetola Sulaimon
Twitter Nigeria has been agog with various reactions to the declaration by the Lagos health ministry of a confirmed case of the deadly Covid-19 also known as ”coronavirus”.
According to the ministry, an Italian who entered Nigeria on 25 February from Milan, for a brief business visit was found to have the virus after falling ill.
Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, said the patient fell ill on the second day of his arrival in Lagos and was transferred to Lagos State Biosecurity Facilities for isolation and testing.
COVID-19 infection was confirmed by the Virology Laboratory of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, part of the Laboratory Network of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control. The patient is clinically stable, with no serious symptoms, and is being managed at the Infectious Disease Hospital in Yaba, Lagos.
The declaration has elicited various reactions on Twitter Nigeria:
Let's set our differences aside &stand AS ONE to fight this evil plague called #coronavirus that has afflicted our shores.The FG must be pro-active& we must do our part &pray. May God defend our people &protect our shores.#CoronaVirusUpdates #coronavirusus #coronavirusnigeria
— Femi Fani-Kayode (@realFFK) February 28, 2020
This shouldn't concern only those in Lagos. The patient might have made contacts with people at the airport who travelled to other cities.
Take these tips seriously. Chineke zọpụta anyị n'aka ọrịa nke a bikonu😩.#CoronaVirusUpdates #CoronavirusOutbreak #coronavirusnigeria pic.twitter.com/cgfXtT6SVg
— ChudeeTheNerd Jay (@UtaziJay) February 28, 2020
https://twitter.com/wolexz_tricks/status/1233275283232501761
The easiest way to control this thing now is a 2 week state of emergency and self quarantine from Monday possibly. But of course govt will wait until it is out of control. #coronavirusnigeria
— ZaddyJide (@JideSocialMedia) February 28, 2020
https://twitter.com/LordDave13/status/1233257658989207553