Asiwaju declares COVID-19 real threat, as another aide tests positive – ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The National Leader of the All Progress Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared that ChineseVirus-19 also known as Coronavirus or COVID-19 is real threat to the Nigerian society, just as another of his aide tested positive, reports ITREALMS.

Reacting to the recent test conducted on his household by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) following the death of his Chief Security Officer, Alhaji Lateef Raheem, he said “Covid-19 is a real and present threat.”

He advised those who discount it or claim it is a fabrication, saying they are doing a grave and dangerous disservice to the public well-being.

“Likewise, those who stigmatise people who may have been stricken by the virus also do a disservice by casting blame on the innocent and discouraging people from taking the COVID test,” he said.

Nigeria, he said, cannot defeat this health menace through ignorance or by shaming one another.

“We can only beat it through transparency, knowledge and compassion. This, we have learned first-hand,” he said.

According to him in a press statement made available to ITREALMS by his media aide, Mr. Tunde Rahman, noted that following the death of the well-respected and beloved Chief Security Officer, Alhaji Lateef Raheem, NCDC medics took the wise precaution of taking samples from his body for testing to actually determine the cause of death.

“Today, the test results are back. The samples tested positive for Covid-19,” Asiwaju was quoted as saying.

He also said that as a precautionary measure taken soon after the death of Alhaji Raheem, himself, wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and all their aides took COVID-19 tests Saturday, April 25.

“The results of the tests were returned this morning. Test results for both Asiwaju and Senator TInubu were negative,” he said.

The results of one aide, he confirmed was positive, while the rest of the staff was negative, stressing that the one staff member has been isolated in accordance with NCDC guidelines.

“Further contact tracing and COVID-19 tests are being conducted by the NCDC with regard to the relatives and possible contacts of that staff member,” he said.

Further, Asiwaju stressed that openness and transparency must be observed if Nigerians were to defeat this disease.

“There is no house immune to its entry. Contracting the virus should not bring social or moral stigma any more than contracting malaria or a common cold.

“We cannot overcome this challenge by acting like it does not exist or by trying to conceal that someone may have it due to social shame. The culture of denial is counterproductive and will do great harm in our current situation.”

Asiwaju further asked that Nigerians should not be afraid to be tested if they have any symptoms or if they believe they may have come in contact with someone who has been infected.

“We must do all we can to contain the spread of the virus and to well treat those of us who have been hit by it.

“As you go about your day, we know you must find daily sustenance. Yet, please continue to do all you can to maintain social distance and to take all other public health measures to protect yourself and others. In this way, we all may contribute to halt the spread of this dangerous virus,” he submitted.

Ayo Midele/Editor

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