Seventeen staff of Rayfield Medical Services LTD, a private hospital in Plateau State have tested positive for Coronavirus.
The hospital which has since been shut down by the state task force, was said to have admitted a patient denied having symptoms of the dreaded COVID-19 virus, unknown to them, the patient absconded from a state managed isolation facility.
However, two days later, upon discovery, member of staff of the hospital got tested with 17 coming back positive.
“A COVID-19 patient absconded from one of the state hospitals and came to us for treatment for an unrelated illness,” an health worker at the hospital was quoted to have said.
“The patient denied any history of contact with a COVID-19 patient as well as any history of symptoms suggestive of COVID-19.
“The patient was managed for two days in our facility before we discovered the true state of affairs from the state ministry of health.
“The patient was immediately evacuated by the ministry of health officials to the isolation facility and the hospital fumigated.
“Screening of primary and secondary contacts revealed that a number of our staff were also positive for the virus. They are also being attended to by the state ministry of health officials.
“In line with the state protocols, the hospital services have been suspended for two weeks and the entire facility closed for fumigation.
“We hope to resume normal services to the general public immediately after the expiration of the mandatory two weeks.”
Meanwhile, Dr Nimkong Lar, Commissioner for Health in the state, during a briefing with newsmen on Wednesday, said the state was on top of the situation.
He said, “Screening of primary and secondary contacts revealed that 17 staff of the hospital have tested positive for the virus and are also being attended to by the state ministry of health officials.
“Out of the patients one died, the hospital has been closed down for safety of the public health. As of today, 198 cases of covid-19 confirmed in Plateau state while 113 discharged. The state has so far recorded 5 death while 29 healthy workers infected by Coronavirus.”
The commissioner added that, said as of Wednesday, 29 health workers have tested positive to the virus in the state.
