The Enugu State Ministry of Health on Monday, March 16th, 2020 said that the suspected coronavirus patient has been confirmed negative to the deadly disease.

The Ministry of Health’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Ifeanyi Agujiobi, in a statement, said that the suspect’s specimen sent to IRUA Specialist Hospital for investigation tested negative.

Agujiobi said,

the Enugu State Ministry of Health hereby informs the general public that we have received the result of the investigation sent to IRUA Specialist Hospital which is further corroborated by Nigerian Center for Disease Control (NCDC) as negative.

We hereby enjoin the general public to go about their normal business, however, to remain alert and vigilant, observing basic personal health hygiene,

he said.

Meanwhile, the state government disclosed to journalists that it had released N20 million emergency funds to fight the COVID-19 scourge and other health issues. It said the funds were released to the State Isolation Center’s management to ensure that the facilities were optimally-ready to handle with the situation and any other emergency that may arise forthwith.

A statement by the Commissioner for Information, Chidi Aroh, stated that Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has provided the required leadership and logistic support to ensure that the State Ministry of Health and the Emergency Operation Center are functioning at optimal level and fully ready to deal with any emergency in the state.
Aroh added that the state government has also ensured that the suspected patient, who had been declared negative is very stable in the isolation center and receiving the best available medical treatment.

The information commissioner disclosed that the state government in line with routine protocol had informed the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) and necessary samples collected and sent to IRUA Specialist Hospital in Edo State for investigation, saying:

We await the results of the investigation soon.

While assuring the public that all the relevant agencies and institutions in the state are fully activated and very ready to respond to any issue arising from the Corona Virus – COVID19 or any other health emergency, the state government maintained that

there is absolutely no reason to panic.

The good people of Enugu State are further encouraged to ensure the highest level of personal hygiene including the regular washing of their hands and use of sanitizers in public places,

he said.

Justin Nwosu

Justin Nwosu is the founder and publisher of Flavision. His core interest is in writing unbiased news about Nigeria in particular and Africa in general. He’s a strong adherent of investigative journalism, with a bent on exposing corruption, abuse of power and societal ills.