The Ogun state government has revealed the identity of the doctor who suspected the index case of coronavirus in Nigeria.
In a series of tweets on Saturday, the state ministry of health appreciated the doctor, Amarachukwu Allison, whose brilliance was said to have led to the detection of the case in the state.
Allison is a doctor at Lafarge Plc, a cement manufacturer.
The index case, an Italian, arrived in Nigeria on February 24.
Advertisement
The Italian, who is a consultant with Lafarge, reportedly spent the night at an undisclosed hotel near Lagos airport and moved to the company’s facility in Ewekoro, Ogun state, the next morning.
He was said to have spent the night at Lafarge’s facility when he fell sick and was taken to the company’s medical centre where preliminary diagnosis began.
After testing positive for the disease, he was subsequently quarantined at the Infectious Disease Centre in Yaba, Lagos state.
Advertisement
About 39 people who had contact with him were also quarantined. One of them tested positive for the disease while others were discharged. The positive case later recovered.
On Friday, the Italian was discharged from the isolation centre after testing negative for the disease.
The state government also appreciated Lafarge for its cooperation in managing the spread of the virus in the state.
“The Ogun State Government appreciates the young female doctor who suspected the index case in Nigeria in our State, Dr. Amarachukwu Karen Allison of Lafarge Nigeria. Her singular brilliance led to the early diagnosis and rapid containment of the first Covid-19 infection in,” it said.
Advertisement
“Our appreciation also goes to Lafarge Nigeria for their cooperation with Ogun State in managing and curtailing the spread of the disease within the state.
Ogun State under the leadership of the Executive Governor ,His Excellency Prince Dapo Abiodun @dabiodunMFR
The Ogun State Government appreciates the young female doctor who suspected the index case in Nigeria in our State, Dr. Amarachukwu Karen Allison of Lafarge Nigeria. Her singular brillaince led to the early diagnosis and rapid containment of the first Covid-19 infection in
— OgunCovid-19Update (@OgunCovid19) March 21, 2020
Advertisement
Our appreciation also goes to Lafarge Nigeria for their cooperation with Ogun State in managing and curtailing the spread of the disease within the state.
Ogun State under the leadership of the Executive Governor ,His Excellency Prince Dapo Abiodun @dabiodunMFR— OgunCovid-19Update (@OgunCovid19) March 21, 2020
Advertisement
extends its gratitude to all our partners including the @WHO and @NCDCgov , @UNICEF for their support in containing the Coronavirus infection in Ogun State@drtomicoker @dabiodunMFR @OGSGofficial @HealthOgun @toluogunlesi @MBuhari
Advertisement— OgunCovid-19Update (@OgunCovid19) March 21, 2020
Advertisement
https://twitter.com/OGCovid19update/status/1241356217739620352?s=20
Responding, Allison thanked God “for intuition and knowledge” and for the safety of her teammates.
“I want to thank God Almighty for intuition and knowledge and also for the safety of my teammates and I who worked together at the time,” she said.
“My special prayers to health workers around the world who have paid the supreme sacrifice and to all families who have lost loved ones. To all unsung heroes, thank you.”
I want to thank God Almighty for intuition and knowledge and also for the safety of my teammates and I who worked together at the time.
Special thanks to Lafarge, @NCDCgov @OGCovid19update @LSMOH @Fmohnigeria @IntlSOS for their prompt and professional https://t.co/Dm4cAU51ya
— Amarachukwu Karen Allison (@doctoramaraa) March 21, 2020
response; Prof Moji Adeyeye DG NAFDAC @DGatNAFDAC @TundeIrukera (DG FCCPC) for your prayers, calls and support.
This is a very critical time for us all and I wish to impress on all the need to put adequate measures in place and join the global effort to address COVID-19.
— Amarachukwu Karen Allison (@doctoramaraa) March 21, 2020
My special prayers to health workers around the world who have paid the supreme sacrifice and to all families who have lost loved ones.
To all unsung heroes, thank you.
— Amarachukwu Karen Allison (@doctoramaraa) March 21, 2020
Nigerians on Twitter praised her for saving lives and for her diligence and bravery, asking for God’s protection over her.
Thank you so much for your diligence. Thank you for your your vigilance and high level of professionalism of you and your team members. Posterity will never forget the good work you did. We appreciate and celebrate you.
— #iKponmwosa 🙏🙌 (@ORONSofGOD) March 21, 2020
https://twitter.com/waleola101/status/1241428617348988929?s=20
Thank you doctor for such great effort.
— kween Salma (@kweenSm01) March 21, 2020
Weldone doctor, your country is proud of you ma
— TEMITOPE O. TEMITOPE (@Temietoa) March 21, 2020
God bless @mzGolden17
The Lord shall prosper you and your household. All the days of your life, God's favour shall continue to locate. We are proud of you!— Son of David (@DrOlusesan) March 21, 2020
We're proud of you, @mzGolden17. May God reward your kind heart.
God bless you real good!
— Femi Benson (@FemiBenson1) March 21, 2020
Well done!!! Thank you for acting on your intuition. Thank you to your team. And thank God who kept you all from being infected.
— Amy (@Miz_Amy_) March 21, 2020
@mzGolden17 , Dearest Sister, May God bless your generation in Jesus mighty name. Amen! You are my HERO. @AfamDeluxo @UchePOkoye and @Dasucre, please come and see our wonderful sister, the HERO of COVID-19 Nigeria. https://t.co/YAwSkiXoyi
— AnyaEjiAfuzo GCFR (@Dozie70) March 21, 2020
— Bolaji Olawale (@wascolee) March 21, 2020
The Nation at large appreciate you 🙏. Thank you.
— Joseph (@JoeAkogun) March 21, 2020
Thank You for saving our dear state it isn't easy to be a first respondent. You're an Hero
— King 👑 Abayomi 🇳🇬 #EndSARS (@Yhormite01) March 21, 2020
Add a comment
