COVID-19: UCH restricts access to facility, as minister calls for tracking of all cases

The University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, has restricted entry into its premises to staff only. This was disclosed in a circular dated March 23, signed by the Director of Administration, S.O. Oladejo, and sent to all members of staff.

The management had ordered that only staff who are car owners and have patients in the ward, would be allowed into the hospital premises in order curtail the spread of the Coronavirus within UCH community.

The statement emphasised that the staff would only be allowed in upon the display of their UCH’s sticker on their private vehicles.

What this means: Coming at a time when Nigeria is struggling to combat the spread of the virus by tracking and isolating all suspecting cases, this move from the UCH might has adverse implications.
 

There is yet no other recognised centre in Oyo State where suspected cases of COVD-19 can be taken to for observation or isolation, and the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control advised that any suspected case of Coronavirus should be isolated and taken to a medical facility immediately.

So far, Oyo State has one confirmed case of the virus and activities are in top gear to trace all of the contacts.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Minister of health, Osagie Ehanire has urged the Federal Government to find a way to get those infected cases of COVID-19 who had chosen to hide in their homes.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Monday, Ehanire stated that some persons who have contracted coronavirus are hiding.

He noted that the Federal Government has to act fast to stop the spread of the virus in order not to experience a similar challenge with China and Italy – the worst-hit countries in the Coronavirus pandemic so far.

While China has recorded 81,093 cases with 3,270 deaths, Italy has recorded 63,937 cases with 6,077 deaths, according to Worldometer, a website that provides update on the virus casualty figures globally.

He noted that if confirmed, treatment would commence immediately, thereby stopping the spread and increasing the chances of recovery just as it happened with the Italian index case and the first Nigerian confirmed case.

“We have to get those who have been infected now. If we don’t, it may be a serious burden in the system. I am sure some are hiding, they will not report for whatever reason. Nobody will be arrested or asked to pay anything. 

“If we do not act fast, we could be heading in something dangerous like that (in China and Italy) where they now transmit among themselves,” he warned.