By Oziegbe Okoeki
The authorities of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, said Saturday that the COVID-19 patient who died in the hospital on Friday recently returned home from Holland.
The Nation reported the patient’s death on Saturday.
The Chief Medical Director of LUTH, Professor Chris Bode in a statement through Prof. Wasiu Adeyemo, Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC), said the man was brought unconscious to LUTH Emergency late in the evening of Wednesday, April 2 by his friend.
He said: “Although, they denied any history of recent travel, his presentation strongly suggested COVID-19. He was handled professionally by the Infectious Diseases Consultant and his team without unduly exposing LUTH staff to danger. He died a few hours later.
“Further investigations later revealed he had earlier performed a test at Yaba soon after he travelled back to Nigeria from Holland and the test was positive.
“He was a known diabetic hypertensive patient. He also had a kidney transplant for chronic kidney disease and was on immunosuppressant drugs.
“The corpse has since been handed over to the appropriate Unit of the Lagos State Ministry of Health for safe burial according to international best practices.
“Our Department of Community Medicine has moved swiftly to trace, follow-up and assist gallant staff who managed the patient.”
The LUTH management implored all members of staff to continue observing strict standard protocols when handling all patients as medical personnel are especially at increased risk from such undisclosed exposure.
“All efforts are being made to ensure the availability of all required items to continue the effective management of such cases that come to LUTH.
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He said that efforts were in top gear to complete the isolation facility in LUTH for management of any possible spillover from the Yaba Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH).
The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi also confirmed the man’s death on Twitter.
He described the development as the first #COVID19 related death in the state.
He said: “The deceased was 55 year old Nigerian male who lived in Holland but returned to Lagos two weeks ago. He had a kidney transplant seven years ago and was also diabetic.”
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