COVID-19 test results of Chinese medical team not yet ready, says minister

Olorunnimbe Mamora, minister of state for health, says the results of the COVID-19 test conducted on members of the Chinese medical team are not ready.

On April 8, a 15-man medical team from China arrived in Nigeria with medical supplies to aid in efforts to combat the coronavirus pandemic.

On the team are doctors and nurses who completed their mandatory 14 days quarantine on Wednesday after which their samples were taken for test by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

Addressing journalists at the presidential task force briefing on COVID-19 on Friday, Mamora said the test results are yet to be released.

Although the minister gave no specific reason for the delay, he said the results would be made public once ready.

“On the results of COVID-19 tests carried out on the medical team from China, the response we have is that for one reason or the other, the results are not out at the moment. But I want to assure you that our country Nigeria will announce the results because we already said we will give you feedback on the conducted tests,” he said.

“So I would like to implore everyone to be patient as it is something we consider important to do because we don’t want to risk the lives of our citizens over those who came to work with us.”

Osagie Ehanire, minister of health, commended health workers for their efforts in tackling the virus.

He urged them to adopt caution and use personal protective equipment while carrying out their duties.

“I wish to use this opportunity to applaud our frontline health workers in the COVID-19 pandemic. We salute your courage and patriotism, but I urge you to protect yourselves as prescribed and use the PPE judiciously. Do not attempt to treat COVID-19 patients without using adequate PPE, or if your institution is not accredited to do so,” he said.

“This is important because we need to keep health workers safe at such at time and cannot afford the numbers testing positive to COVID-19. Remain vigilant in the line of duty and maintain a high index of suspicion for COVID-19.

“We have now deployed COVID-19 starter packs to all tertiary institutions and Federal Medical Centers, to complement what was earlier sent to each State. The starter packs consist of medical consumables and disposables, to ensure that our frontline healthcare workers are protected.”