40 Nigerian health workers test positive for coronavirus, says Minister
The Nigerian Government has disclosed that, about 40 health workers in the country have, so far, tested positive for coronavirus, with cautioned for them to ensure that safety precautions are taken when treating any patient.
Penpushing reports that, the Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, made this known at the daily Presidential Task Force on coronavirus briefing on Thursday, adding that, apart from the over 40 health workers, there are others “who have been quarantined in the last 2 weeks due to exposure and have not been able to contribute to efforts of the health sector.”
”This warning has become necessary due of the number of health workers who have tested positive for COVID-19, They are over forty now’,recalling that the federal government had earlier barred private hospitals from treating coronavirus cases, pointing out that many of the health workers there are not trained to handle such a disease.
‘At least 17 private hospitals in Lagos have admitted that their staff have been exposed to COVID-19 through patients. The hospitals were subsequently bared from admitting any patients while their buildings are disinfected’
‘The federal government has now asked private hospitals willing to treat COVID-19 patients to register with their state’s health ministry and ensure proper training of staff’, the Minister emphasised.
Penpushing also reports that, Ehanire said the government will continue to provide health workers with necessary personal protective equipment (PPE), and advised that no patient should be treated without adequate personal protective equipment( PPE).
The Minister urged health workers to take all necessary precautions for their own safety, stressing that, ”the government will continue to provide you with the necessary personal protective equipment (PPE). I urge you to take all the necessary precautions for your own safety,” he said.
