Updated: Coronavirus is now confirmed in Nigeria.

The Nigerian government has announced a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) case in Lagos State, Nigeria. The Federal Ministry of Health confirmed the positive test of the virus in Nigeria, Friday morning, in a statement signed by Dr Osagie Ehanire, Minister of Health. The case, recorded on Thursday, 27th of February 2020, is the first to be reported in Nigeria since the outbreak in Wuhan, China in December 2019. The minister’s statement disclosed that the case is an Italian citizen who works in Nigeria and returned from Milan, Italy to Lagos, Nigeria, on the 25th of February 2020.

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
• Practice other good health habits. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious food.
• Disinfect doorknobs, switches, handles, computers, telephones, bedside tables, bathroom sinks, toilets, counters, toys and other surfaces that are commonly touched around the home or workplace.
• Follow the CDC’s recommendations for using a facemask.
  • CDC does not recommend that people who are healthy wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
  • Facemasks should be used by people who are ill to help prevent the spread of the disease to others.
  • The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).