Plateau state governor, Mr Simon Lalong
By M. Peter- Jos
Two patients with COVID-19 disease who had gone to a private hospital in Jos for treatment of other medical conditions have infected 17 staff of Rayfield Medical Services Limited with Coronavirus.
The hospital has closed operations after the discovery.
The patients were said to have denied having any symptoms of Coronavirus but few days after being admitted in the hospital, symptoms of the virus manifested and some staff of the hospital also contracted the disease.
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An unsigned statement from the hospital being circulated on social media states thus: “Dear esteemed clients, we bring you warm greetings from Rayfield Medical Services Ltd. We would like to inform you of a recent case of COVID-19 admitted to the hospital. Patient had absconded from one of the state hospitals and came to us for treatment for an unrelated illness. Patient had denied any history of contact with a COVID-19 patient as well as any history of symptoms suggestive of COVID-19.
“Patient was managed for two days in our facility before we discovered the true state of affairs from the State Ministry of Health. Patient was immediately evacuated by the Ministry of Health officials to the isolation facility and the hospital fumigated. A screening of primary and secondary contacts revealed that a number of our staff were also positive for the virus. They are also being attended to by the State Ministry of Health officials.
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“In line with the State protocols, the hospital services have been suspended for two weeks and the entire facility closed for fumigation. We hope to resume normal services to the general public immediately after the expiration of the mandatory two weeks. We want to reassure our esteemed clients of the hospital’s commitment to excellent and quality healthcare services and the full adherence to all the safety protocols for the prevention of disease transmission in our facility.”
However, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Nimkong Lar who reacted to the development told journalists that “You are aware that Rayfield Medical has been closed for two weeks because two patients were being managed there for other medical conditions but they later tested positive to COVID-19 disease and were taken out for treatment but unfortuntaely, one of them died.
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“17 staff of the hospital have been confirmed COVID-19 positive and are being treated, we are closing the hospital for public safety. The hospital has been decontaminated but would remain closed for two weeks. People should be very safety conscious, so far, we have 198 cases, 113 have been discharged and five died. 29 health workers have contracted the disease. For instance in Plateau hospital, a patient was being managed for asthma but it turned out the patient was COVID-19 positive. Some nurses and a cleaner contracted the disease.”
Meanwhile, the State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Dan Manjang noted with dismay the lack of citizens adherence to safety protocols to curb the disease.
Manjang in a statement said, “Plateau State Government has decried the lack of adherence to guidelines for COVID-19 by most individuals and some organisations following the suspension of the lockdown order by Governor Simon Lalong on 11th June, 2020. The Government notes the flagrant disregard for the compulsory use of face masks by all citizens outside their homes where many go about without any. There is also high disregard to social distancing requirement in public places such as markets, shops, hotels, social centres, restaurants, public transport and some places of worship.
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“Some others have chosen to ignore the provision of water, soap and sanitizers in entrances to such public places thereby constituting greater risk to the citizens. Some people have also organised large gatherings and social gatherings in contravention of the directive of the Governor. All this has led to an increase in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the State.
“Based on the above therefore, government hereby warns against non compliance to its directives. Monitoring teams have been put in place to monitor and enforce compliance. This takes immediate effect. Anyone found to be violating the COVID-19 guidelines will be arrested and prosecuted while public places will be shut down and also prosecuted. Government wishes to remind the citizens that COVID-19 is real and still without cure while community spread continues to be occurring. All citizens must take personal responsibility for their health and the health of others.”
