NCDC Acts as Suspected COVID-19 Patient in Ogun Threatens to Infect Others

Matilda Omonaiye/

A suspected COVID-19 patient in Ogun State today threatened to engage in actions that may expose others to the infection after he was allegedly left unattended for days by officials of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

The unidentified patient claimed he had remained at home with worsening symptoms of the disease three days after he made contact with the NCDC and officials promised to reach out to him.

The threat issued by the patient, however, achieved its intended result as reports say NCDC officials have already gone to take his samples with a promise to notify him of the results within two days.

Investigative journalist, Fisayo Soyombo, first drew attention to the issue by sharing the private SOS message he claimed to have received from the patient on Twitter this morning.

He also encouraged others to retweet it until it gets the attention of the concerned authorities.

The patient’s message as shared by Soyombo reads, “Hello, my name is M……. C… I have strong symptoms for covid-19 and the Ogun State government promised to send NCDC team since 3 days ago after I was rejected in a hospital but I haven’t seen anyone.

“The situation has worsened, I now have shortness of breath, diarrhea, fatigue & headache.

“If no one comes to test me, I will have no choice than to go seek medical attention myself which may endanger the general public. Please help me reach out.”

However, about three hours after tweeting the initial message, Soyombo returned with the news that officials had reached out to the patient.

Soyombo’s latest tweet on the matter reads, “UPDATE: His samples have been taken and he’s been promised he’ll get the result within two days.

“Thank you to everyone who retweeted or got in touch🙏.”

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