Apapa port records index Covid-19 case at APM Terminals
Samson Echenim is business a.m. correspondent providing coverage for maritime, aviation, travels and hospitality. A former business correspondent at the Punch and Leadership newspapers, he has a vast experience in business reporting. Samson can be reached on samhapp2000@yahoo.com and +2348037363024
Nigeria’s premier seaport, Apapa, has recorded its first coronavirus case barely a week after the dreaded virus hit Tin Can port, both in Lagos.
The case is an employee of APM Terminals Apapa, Nigeria’s largest container terminal.
The terminal confirmed the development on Tuesday, saying the case was last at the port on April 16, 2020 but his COVID-19 infection was confirmed on April 27.
A statement issued by the company’s general manager, External Relations, Daniel Odibe, reads: “APM Terminals hereby informs the port community and general public of a positive COVID19 case concerning a staff of APM Terminals Apapa Limited. The said employee’s last day at work was on April 16th 2020.
“The employee developed malaria symptoms and was referred to a hospital where he was initially treated before he was referred to NCDC for further test. We were informed on April 27th 2020 that the test result came out positive.
“The case is currently being handled by NCDC while we continue with our precautionary and response plans in strict adherence to the COVID19 protocol.”
Nigeria’s Covid-19 cases reached 1,337 on Monday with 40 deaths, but 255 have recovered, leaving the country’s active cases at 1,042.
President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday announced relaxation of lockdown in Lagos and other states effective May 4, raising fears of possible outburst of Covid-19 cases in the country.
The country’s testing figures remained low at 10,933 as at Monday April 27.