Confusion As 2 Patients Who Tested Negative Are Now Confirmed Positive

There was confusion among health workers at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) today, Saturday, after two patients who earlier tested Negative to coronavirus pandemic were declared Positive after further tests were conducted.‎

The development came as the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on Friday confirmed the death of two patients of coronavirus in Edo and Lagos State.

In an update of the ARD, the doctors expressed dismay that “the earlier results of the two suspected COVID -19 cases previously declared negative have turned out to be positive after further tests.”

According to the update:-

“Whilst the EXCO cannot fully ascertain at this time what may have led to this, it has become imperative at this point to inform our members on the sudden turn of events.

“We expect management to issue a statement on the way forward, as this cuts across all members of staff that have been involved in management of these patients.

“Furthermore, we implore our members to remain calm as always, and to continue to maintain high index of suspicion and ensure standard precautions for all patients.”

Similarly, an internal memo signed by UBTH Chief Medical Director, Darlington Obaseki, said it has ‘received conflicting results on the COVID-19 status of two of our patients.

“Another sample has been collected for confirmation. While we await this result, the patient has been moved to the isolation ward for continued management.

“Contact tracing has been commenced for all staff who had direct contact with the patient.

“Terminal disinfection has been mandated for all places the patient was managed…”