The Management of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Cross River State has asked staff members to protect themselves as much as possible against the virulence of COVID-19, which initially was said to be non-existent.
This is coming after the hospital carried out a test on a patient which turned out to be positive.
The University management said that contrary to the popular belief that the state is free of COVID-19, it is not.
In a statement signed by the Chief Medical Director, Prof. Ikpeme A. Ikpeme, a patient was treated and discharged from the hospital isolation centre.
”The UCTH Management has been in direct contact with the Director-General, NCDC and the NCDC has approved the Hospital as an independent test centre. The implication of this is that, henceforth, we do not need to pass samples through the Epidemiology unit of the state as was the case before.
“The Hospital can now send samples directly to NCDC accredited Laboratories while the NCDC works to help set up and accredit our Laboratory.
“We, therefore, urge everybody to honestly do the needful to ensure that our community is protected from the Coronavirus pandemic.”
The management promised to take steps to protect its staff, facility and patients.
”In furtherance of steps earlier taken to protect our staff, patients and facility management will ensure strict compliance with measures geared towards protecting our population. This will involve strict entry and exit protocols into our facilities.”
But in a twist, the Commissioner for Health and Chairman COVID-19, Dr Betta Edu in a statement said the Cross River State Government reacted to the internal memo from the hospital management.
“It is important to state that an index COVID-19 case can only be confirmed with PCR and not the antibody Rapid Diagnostic test kits which the NCDC had said has very low sensitivity and specificity, therefore, should not be used for COVID 19 diagnosis.
“As a state Government, we have commenced an investigation into this case and we will get back to the public with our findings. All efforts to identify and isolate suspected cases will be encouraged but we denounce any attempt to label CRS COVID-19 positive using a rapid antibody testing methodology. For now, Cross River State has no confirmed case of COVID-19.”
