At least 10 Nigerians out o the 40 who registered for evacuation from the United Kingdom due to the Coronavirus pandemic, have tested positive for the novel virus.
The results of the tests, which were released on Monday in London, indicated that the 10 individuals were asymptomatic, raising fears that they might have infected other people.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs had in a statement given conditions for Nigerians residing outside the country, to be evacuated. One of such conditions is that intending returnees would pay for their journey back home. Also, it stated that they would be tested for COVID-19 before coming back to Nigeria.
According to a source in the Nigerian High Commission in the UK, most of those who tested positive were not resident in the UK, but went to the European country for business and educational purposes. The source said they have been isolated and have started treatment. The source added that there are fears that the confirmed cases might have infected others.
Efforts are now being made to begin contact-tracing. United Kingdom is one of the high risk countries.
According to THE PUNCH, a source in the high commission explained that Nigerians, who registered for the evacuation, were being tested in a batch of 40. The source added that another batch would soon undergo the COVID-19 test.
He stated, “We have just received the results of the first batch of 40 Nigerians who registered for evacuation to Nigeria. The results show that about 10 persons tested positive for COVID-19 and they have commenced treatment in isolation centres.
“What is generating consternation is the fear that they might have infected many other people since they were not showing symptoms of the deadly disease.”
The spokesman for Nigerians in the Diaspora Commission, Abdul-Rahman Balogun, confirmed the development, stating that those who tested positive had commenced treatment.
He said, “Yes, I can confirm that the results of the first cluster of 40 persons revealed that between eight and 10 Nigerians tested positive for coronavirus. They have since commenced treatment in the UK.”
READ ALSO:COVID-19 LOCKDOWN (2): FIGHTING HUNGER VS FIGHTING THE VIRUS
However, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, on Monday that the Federal Government was exploring all options for the evacuation of the stranded Nigerians.
Many Nigerians have been clamouring to return home following the increase in cases of COVID-19 across the world.
A viral video showed about 100 Nigerians being evicted from their homes and hotels in Guangzhou by the Chinese authorities last week, while their passports were reportedly seized.
The minister subsequently summoned the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr Zhou Pingjian, last Thursday, over the harassment and stigmatisation of Nigerian in the Asian country.
Yetunde Adegoke
