By Balogun Damilola
A nurse, an administrative staff and three other persons have tested positive for coronavirus at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abeokuta, Ogun State.
This is coming barely a week after two persons, a pregnant woman, who died at the facility before her positive test result arrived and another young man, tested positive at the facility.
The management of the hospital confirmed the previous two cases and shut down the Accident and Emergency Complex where the two patients were treated.
It was learnt that seven more persons have been reportedly tested positive for COVID-19 at the hospital as of Friday.
Confirming the development, the Head, FMC’s Public Relations at FMC, Segun Orisajo, on Saturday evening said: “Two patients who tested positive for coronavirus early this week at the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta were this evening transferred to the Ogun State Isolation facility at Ikenne.
“Yesterday , the Centre confirmed the two cases in a statement.
“Further to those, the Centre hereby confirmed the case of another three patients whose test results just returned positive.
“Two of them are staff of this Centre, a Nurse and an Administrative staff which brings the total number to five.
“So far, no Doctor in the Centre has tested positive for coronavirus contrary to some media reports.”
Also, the Medical Director, Prof Adewale Musa-Olomu at a meeting with the representatives of the unions in the Centre, re-assured them of their personal safety and protection.
He also had the same message for users of the Centre, whom he said had nothing to be afraid of as the Management was fully alive to its responsibility.
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 was 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 staff to danger. We ensure that all staff 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 the determined efforts of his administration to ensure the safety of the staff while on duty .
He disclosed that the Centre has been assured of another consignment next week.
Musa-Olomu urged members of the public to disregard information being peddled about by some individuals aimed at creating panic , fear and anxiety in their minds.
He urged the sick and those in need of the Centre’s services to approach the Centre whenever the need arises.