The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) said on Sunday it has reviewed the case definition for COVID-19.
What that means is that the Centre has added some other symptoms to the existing ones that could make a patient to be suspected of being infected with the virus.
It said the review was necessitated by the community transmission of the disease noticed in parts of the country.
“Due to community transmission in parts of the country, a new case definition has been published for COVID-19 in Nigeria.
“Suspect case: Those with cough or fever (or history of fever in the last two weeks) with one or more of these symptoms: shivering /shaking (chills); body pain; headache; sore throat; recent loss of taste or smell; difficulty in breathing/shortness of breath; diarrhea/abdominal pain; runny nose/catarrh; fatigue (tiredness).
“A probable case of COVID-19 is any person that presented with any of the above symptoms in the last two weeks and died without a confirmatory COVID-19 test.”
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The centre reiterated its warning that those who develop the COVID-19 symptoms should not visit health facilities.
Rather, it stated that such people should stay indoors and avoid contact with others while they contact their state hotline for further guidance.
“We are currently receiving a high volume of calls which unfortunately means that you may not be able to reach us easily through our toll-free number.
“Alternatively, you may contact us via sms, WhatsApp,Twitter/Facebook and email.”
