The Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, has disclosed that over 40 health workers have tested positive for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Nigeria.
He disclosed this during a media briefing on Thursday, April 23, 2020. The minister urged all health workers to ensure their safety by adhering to all necessary precautions in dealing with COVID-19 patients.
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He added that apart from the over 40 health workers, there are others
“who have been quarantined in the last two weeks due to exposure and have not been able to contribute to efforts of the health sector.”
The minister assured health workers that the government will continue to provide them with the necessary personal protective equipment to aid them in the work, but advised them to remain cautious.
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He said,
“Please do not try to treat patients without adequate PPE. Frontline workers must undertake refresher training in IPC at intervals.”
“This advice is necessary due to the number of health workers who have tested positive. They are over 40 now.”
Ehanire disclosed that the government has tested 9,522 samples since Nigeria’s index case was detected in February
He also advised Nigerians to keep practicing social distancing, wearing face masks when leaving their homes, practicing hand and respiratory hygiene, and avoiding mass gatherings and non-essentials travels.
“Individual actions will determine the success of the actions being taken by the government. To stop the spread of COVID-19 is therefore a collective effort,”
he said.
Featured Image Source: Nigerian Health Blog
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