An attempt to flee the isolation centre by a patient who tested positive to COVID-19 in Kaduna proved abortive as the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Commission caught him. This was confirmed on Thursday by an official of the Corps.
As the patient attempted to escape the Infectious Disease Control Center, Down Quarters, Kaduna state. A corps assistant, identified as Joshua Phillips nabbed him. Akinola Gbenga the spokesman of the absence disclosed in a statement.
According to Gbenga, the male patient tried to sneak out of the isolation centre for morning prayers. Without the doctors’ knowledge or approval, the patient had grabbed the keys and tried to open the gates. Which led to a confrontation between the patient and Joseph Philips the corps assistant.
This careless attempt by the patient was, however, exposing the officer to the virus. The officer who arrested the patient was administered some drugs, advised to self isolate for 14 days and alert the centre in case of any developed symptom.
There have been several attempts by COVID-19 patients in Nigeria attempting to flee isolation centres. Recently in Osun State, 6 patients escaped from the isolation centre with only 5 captured immediately. Although, there is currently not enough evidence on how this escape may have led to transmissions.
The NSCDC agency chief Chikwe Iheakwazu and the commissioner for health in Lagos, Akin Abayomi had both confirmed the chances of community transmission. This week in Kaduna, a gatekeeper was confirmed to have tested positive for the virus.
This man had recently returned from Lagos and has no contact with the 5 confirmed cases in Kaduna. This was confirmed by the Kaduna commissioner for Health, Amina Baloni.
The chances of community transmission cannot be ruled out as a man with no travel history who died of COVID-19 in Lagos. The nation has 442 confirmed cases of coronavirus. 152 patients have been discharged and 13 recorded death polls.