By Rasheed Sobowale

The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, his wife, and immediate family members have tested negative for the coronavirus (COVID-19) disease.

Professor Akin Abayomi, the state’s commissioner for health revealed this on Friday via his twitter handle while expressing his excitement at the development.

“I am happy to announce that #COVID19 Lagos Incident Commander, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu the first Lady of Lagos and their immediate family members, as well as aides, have all tested negative to #COVID19”

The Director General (DG) of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, had earlier said there “is a case definition for COVID-19” and only those with symptoms will be tested by the Centre.

ALSO READ: Lagos discharges 4 patients of coronavirus after testing negative twice

The NCDC DG stated this while answering questions fielded by journalists during the Tuesday Presidential Task Force Briefing on the COVID-19 (coronavirus) in Abuja.

Ihekweazu while advising against unnecessary agitation to get tested for the virus all because of “anxiety” said there are three criteria the NCDC usually evaluates to consider a case worthy of being tested for the coronavirus disease.

“We have a case definition for COVID-19, either respiratory symptoms plus travel; respiratory symptoms plus contact with a confirmed case; or respiratory symptoms of unknown explanation.”

Meanwhile, Ihekweazu during the Friday Presidential Task Force Briefing on the COVID-19 (coronavirus) in Abuja while answering a question on why some prominent Nigerians were tested in spite of showing no symptoms against his earlier declaration, said the new regulation was recently implemented. This was presumed to be effective prior to or on Tuesday when he made the announcement.

According to Ihekweazu, the directive that no asymptomatic patient should be tested for the coronavirus was to ensure that the test kits are sufficient for patients that really need them.

Vanguard News Nigeria.