The University of Benin Teaching Hospital on Sunday confirmed that it had so far received three patients who had tested positive for COVID-19.
A statement signed by the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Prof. Darlington Obaseki, in Benin said the two surviving patients were currently being cared for by “our dedicated staff in an isolation ward with restricted access.”
The CMD was, however, silent on what happened to the third case even though the NCDC had reported that Edo had recorded one death.
When our correspondent probed further via the telephone, the Public Relations Officer of the hospital, Mr Joshua Uwaila, said he could not add to what the CMD had said in the statement.
He declined to say whether the third case was the only recorded death in the state.
“Everything you need is contained in the statement by the CMD, I cannot add to it. I don’t know anything about the third case, the CMD has said everything,” he said.
The CMD also confirmed that prior to confirmation of their COVID-19 status, “some of our healthcare staff were exposed to these patients whilst using only personal protection (surgical face-masks and gloves).
“Currently, all staff who were exposed to these patients are asymptomatic and they are being monitored closely according to current guidelines.
“Further measures have been put in place to ensure that our staff are not unduly exposed to risks of infection with COVID-19 in the course of their providing care for patients who come to the hospital for various reasons.”
According to him, healthcare workers are on the front lines in the pandemic battle and are therefore at a higher risk of being exposed than the general public.
Obaseki added that the management and staff of UBTH while ensuring standard precautions at all times to prevent the spread of the disease, craved the support and understanding of the general public “as we fight this raging battle to contain and curb COVID-19.”
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