Coronavirus: 4 Chinese nationals, 39 others quarantined in Plateau

As part of the efforts by the Plateau State government to prevent the spread of coronavirus into the state, no fewer than 43 persons including four Chinese Nationals have been quarantined.

Addressing newsmen in Jos, the State Commissioner of Health, Dr Nimkong Lerndam, who debunked reports making round that coronavirus has spread into Plateau State added that four nationals of China and thirty-nine Nigerians have been quarantined.

The commissioner explained that on 25th February 2020, three nationals of China travelled from Ethiopia en route Abuja to Wase local government area of Plateau State adding that investigations revealed that they were properly screened at Ethiopia Airport and Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja before they chattered commercial vehicle to Plateau State.

He also noted that another Chinese also travelled through the same route and arrived the state the following day adding that the state government got wind of their arrival from the men of the Nigerian Immigration.

“On arrival at the mining site in Wase local government, those Chinese on the ground were the ones who alerted the Immigration and they were immediately isolated and quarantined to a particular place for observation.

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“The medical team from the state along with WHO officials went to the mining site and discovered that they were properly screened before their arrival. But to be sure of their health status, they were quarantined along with other 39 Nigerians working with them.

“They would be observed for the next 14 days which will elapse by 10th of March. If they manifest any of the symptoms associated with Coronavirus, they would be referred to an appropriate place. Security men have been drafted to the place they were quarantined to ensure strict compliance,” he said.

The state commissioner of health who emphatically declared that there was no case of Coronavirus in the state assured the citizens that the government has put various mechanisms in place to ensure the safety of the people and to monitor the situation.

He said the government is making arrangements to have surveillance team at the Yakubu Gowon Airport to monitor those coming into the state.

On the large concentration of Chinese at the various mining site in Wase local government, the commissioner said those on the ground have not travelled out of the country since the outbreak of the virus adding that those coming in were being monitored.