Photos: Ogun Appreciates Young Doctor who Detected Nigeria’s Index Coronavirus Case

Ololade Adeyanju/

The Ogun State government has expressed appreciation to Dr. Amarachukwu Karen Allison, a staff of Lafarge Africa PLC, whose vigilance led to the detection of the index case of coronavirus in Nigeria.

The index case is an Italian contractor with Lafarge whose case was correctly diagnosed by the young doctor a day after he arrived in Nigeria, thereby preventing the onset of local transmission of the deadly disease.

The Italian was subsequently tested and found to be positive on February 27, after which he was admitted into the Infectious Disease Hospital in Yaba, Lagos.

He was treated and discharged on Friday after testing negative to the disease.

The state government in a statement shared on Twitter via @OGCovid19update, also expressed its gratitude to Lafarge for its cooperation in “managing and curtailing the spread of the disease within the state”.

The statement reads, “The Ogun State Government appreciates the young female doctor who suspected the index case in Nigeria in our State, Dr. Amarachukwu Karen Allison of Lafarge Nigeria. Her singular brillaince led to the early diagnosis and rapid containment of the first Covid-19 infection in Nigeria.

“Our appreciation also goes to Lafarge Nigeria for their cooperation with Ogun State in managing and curtailing the spread of the disease within the state.”

While acknowledging the state government’s appreciation via her Twitter handle, @mzGolden17, Allison wrote, “I want to thank God Almighty for intuition and knowledge and also for the safety of my teammates and I who worked together at the time.

“Special thanks to Lafarge, @NCDCgov @OGCovid19update @LSMOH @Fmohnigeria @IntlSOS for their prompt and professional (response).

“My special prayers to health workers around the world who have paid the supreme sacrifice and to all families who have lost loved ones.

“To all unsung heroes, thank you.

“And not forgetting @WHONigeria for their swift and professional response.”

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