From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta
A police officer, a nurse, an administrative worker and three other persons have tested positive for Coronavirus infection at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
This is coming barely a week after two persons – an expectant mother, who died at the facility before her positive test result arrived, and a man, who also tested positive at the facility.
The management of the hospital confirmed the previous two cases and shut down the Accident and Emergency complex where they were treated.
The police officer, who presented himself at the General Outpatients Department of the FMC about three days ago, died same day.
The result of his test returned positive on Sunday.
His remains were being prepared last night for release to his family for burial in compliance with World Health Organisations (WHO) guidelines.
Seven persons have tested positive for COVID-19 at the hospital in the last seven days.
Head of FMC’s Public Relations, Segun Orisajo, confirmed the death of the police officer yesterday as well as the result of his test.
He had earlier confirmed the positive cases of others on Saturday night.
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Orisajo said: “Two patients who tested positive for Coronavirus early this week at the FMC in Abeokuta were this evening (Sunday) transferred to the Ogun State Isolation facility at Ikenne.
“The centre, on Sunday, confirmed the two cases in a statement.
“Further to those, the centre hereby confirms the case of another three patients whose test results just returned positive.
“Two of them are workers of this centre, a nurse and an administrative worker, which brings the total number to five.
“So far, no doctor in the centre has tested positive for Coronavirus, contrary to some reports.”
On the police officer, he said: “The centre has recorded the death of a patient who tested positive for Coronavirus.
“The deceased was a Force man presented in the General Outpatients Department about three days ago. He later died same day.
“The result of his test returned this morning (yesterday) positive. His body is being prepared for release to his family for burial in strict compliance with World Health Organisations guidelines.
“All workers who came in contact with the deceased are currently on self-isolation.”
Also, at a meeting with representatives of the unions in the centre yesterday, the centre’s Medical Director, Prof Adewale Musa-Olomu, re-assured them of their personal safety and protection.
He said: “Permit me to seize this opportunity to once again allay the fears that our people out there, including some members of staff, may have about the unfolding developments. To that I say that there is practically nothing to worry about.
“We have for the umpteenth time said it loud and clear that this centre is fully prepared for this thing and will not unnecessarily expose our workers to danger. We ensure that all workers adhere to the basic precautionary measures in the discharge of their responsibilities.”
The Medical Director cited the receipt of a consignment of some Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on Sunday as part of his administration’s efforts to ensure the safety of its workers on duty.
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