Coronavius, also known as COVID-19, is the current pandemic that is ravaging human populations worldwide and threatening global health. An index case was first reported in Nigeria on February 28, 2020. Since then, health officials and relevant government stakeholders have been involved in a flurry of activities aimed at ensuring prevention and control of the disease in the nation. We bring to you a timeline of activities, announcements, and events that have happened in Nigeria since the first case was reported till date.
February 28, 2020
Nigeria confirms the first case of Coronavirus which is also considered the first in sub-Saharan Africa.
February 29, 2020
Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) issues Public Health Advisory to Nigerians on Coronavirus.
March 1, 2020
Four Chinese citizens were quarantined in Plateau State and they all tested negative the following day.
March 4, 2020
Nigeria reportedly tightens security and health checks at airports
March 6, 2020
The Anambra State government announced that five Chinese citizens who were suspected to be infected with Coronavirus tested negative.
March 9, 2020
Lagos State Ministry of Health and NCDC coordinated a team of researchers from Centre for Human and Zoology Virology in LUTH, African Centre for Genomics of Infectious Diseases in Redeemers University and the Nigeria Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) in Lagos to perform the genome sequencing of the coronavirus strain that the index case brought to Nigeria. The genome sequencing proved that the coronavirus strain was a match with the virus circulating in Italy and Wuhan. It is important to note that this the first time the sequencing of this virus has been performed in Africa.
Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) and NCDC announced a new case of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Nigeria. The newly confirmed case was a contact of the index case and was resident in Ewekoro, Ogun State. He had no significant clinical symptoms. This case brought the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Nigeria today to two.
March 10, 2020
Turkish Airlines canceled all its flights to Nigeria due to the coronavirus outbreak.
March 12, 2020
Reportedly, the coronavirus outbreak and tumbling oil prices are triggering a dollar shortage in Nigeria, thereby threatening Nigeria’s economy.
March 13, 2020
Nigeria reported that the second confirmed case of coronavirus no longer had the virus in his system and has been tested negative. However, he will still be monitored.
March 15, 2020
Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) issues updated Public Health Advisory to Nigerians on Coronavirus.
A woman in Enugu State displayed the symptoms of coronavirus, she tested negative the following day.
March 16, 2020
NCDC releases an informative list of FAQs on Coronavirus to promote public education on the disease in Nigeria
March 17, 2020
Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Health confirms a third case of Coronavirus in Nigeria. This case was reported to be a Nigerian national who returned to Nigeria from the United Kingdom on the 13th of March after a brief visit. The case went into self-isolation, subsequently developed symptoms, and was tested positive for COVID-19 by NCDC officials.
The federal government postpones the 20th national sports festival that was supposed to hold in Benin City, Edo State from 22 March 2020 to 1 April 2020.
March 18, 2020
The Nigerian Federal Ministry of Health confirmed 5 new cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Nigeria bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 8. Of the 5 new positive cases, 3 arrived from the United States, while 2 came in from the United Kingdom. 2 of the 3 from the US are Nigerian, a mother and child, making the 6-week old baby the youngest COVID-19 patient. The 3rd case from the US is an American national, who crossed the land border into the country, making it the first COVID-19 case not arriving by air. The 2 cases from the UK are also Nigerians.
Nigeria bans entry for travelers from 13 countries with more than 1,000 cases. They include China, Italy, Iran, South Korea, Spain, Japan, France, Germany, the United States, Norway, UK, Netherlands and Switzerland. The entry restrictions include suspension of visa which will take effect starting on March 20 and will be in place until further notice
Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) issues updated Public Health Advisory to Nigerians on Coronavirus.
March 19, 2020
The Lagos State Commissioner of Health, Akin Abayomi says at a press conference that the Italian who brought coronavirus to Nigeria now tests negative.
Nigerian doctors go on strike demanding two months’ back pay
Nigeria confirms four new cases of coronavirus bringing the total number of cases to 12
Federal Government orders closure of schools and universities nationwide
Lagos traces 1300 suspected cases of coronavirus
Lagos state government shuts down schools and bans public gatherings of more than 50 people, particularly religious congregations.
Benue and Anambra state governments has directed all schools, including primary, secondary and tertiary institutions to close down on the 27th of this month.
Ogun State government bans business operations of cinemas, night clubs, restaurants, cafes and many other businesses that involve large gathering as part of the government’s established stricter measures after the new confirmed cases of coronavirus in Nigeria.
Northwest Zone Governors Forum converged in Kaduna and will close down schools in their states for 30 days starting from Monday 23rd of March 2020.
We will continue to provide you with updates as much as possible. In the meantime, please continue to maintain hygiene practices (especially hand-washing and social distancing) that will ensure prevention and/or decrease the risk of contracting COVID-I9.
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