The Chief Medical Director of University College Hospital, Ibadan, Prof. Jesse Otegbayo, has said that he tested positive for coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

The CMD disclosed his medical stus in a statement on Sunday, March 29th, 2020.

His positive status was among the four new cases confirmed in Oyo State and announced by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on Saturday, march 28th.

The statement, which was personally signed by the CMD, read,

Unfortunately, my result returned positive on Saturday afternoon and I remain in isolation as I am not symptomatic.

All staff who have been in contact with me and other participants during this period have been advised to immediately proceed on self-isolation pending the time they get tested.

However, he clarified that although he was at a board meeting just three days before testing positive to the virus, he maintained social distancing there.

Prof. Otegbayo suspected that he may have contracted the virus from one of those who were present at the meeting.

He added,

On Monday 23rd March, we commenced a 12-man quarterly board meeting which was meant to last five days in the hospital, we observed social distancing and other precautionary measures for COVID-19 as much as possible.

However, on Wednesday morning, one of us presented with what appeared to be symptoms of COVID-19, his samples were immediately taken for test and the meeting called off.

His results returned positive on Friday morning and every participant (including me) immediately went into self-isolation while our samples were also taken for the test.

COVID-19 is spreading faster than we think and I enjoin everyone to take precautions. If one person has it, then a gathering of two becomes dangerous. Stay at home, avoid unnecessary outing and stay safe.

Justin Nwosu

Justin Nwosu is the founder and publisher of Flavision. His core interest is in writing unbiased news about Nigeria in particular and Africa in general. He’s a strong adherent of investigative journalism, with a bent on exposing corruption, abuse of power and societal ills.