First Coronavirus patient in Nigeria discharged after testing negative

The Italian consented to donating one unit of white blood (plasma) before he was discharged.

The index case of Coronavrus in Nigeria, the 44-year-old Italian has been allowed to go home after testing negative to the disease.

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu announced the development in a series of tweet, saying the index case was discharged on Friday, March 20, 2020.

Sharing the group pictures the Italian took with Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi and other health officials, Sanwo-Olu said the index patient appreciated the exceptional care and support given to him by staff of the infectious Disease Hospital,Yaba and all members the Emergency Operation Centre.

According to the governor, the Italian also consented to donating one unit of white blood (plasma), before he was discharged.

He tweeted, “As the COVID-19 Incident Commander for Lagos State, I am glad to inform you that the index case the Italian gentleman is now negative.

The patient when he was in the hospital receiving treatment. (Twitter/Sanwo-Olu)

“Through a combined effort of Lagos State, Ogun State and Federal Health Authorities, we were able to limit the transmission of the virus to a single contact.

“This involved aggressive contact tracing and containment strategies. However, we now have several new imported cases and we hope we can apply the same contact tracing strategy along with social distancing to slow down the outbreak which may be brewing from these new cases.

“The index patient consented to donate one unit of white blood (otherwise called plasma) before he was discharged today (Friday). The blood plasma is rich in anti-body proteins that target the COVID-19 virus.

“The white blood plasma is frozen in our bio-bank and will be useful in handling new cases.

“The blood plasma will be beneficial for the treatment of new patients in the absence of a defined therapeutic drug for COVID-19 yet.”

“The index patient appreciated the exceptional care and support given to him by the staff of the mainland Infectious Disease Hospital, Yaba, all members of the EOC and Lagos State Government.

“The EOC team was extremely happy to bid the patient farewell.

“Once again, we like to convey the enthusiasm of our team to do the very best possible in handling incidents of Coronavirus.”