IT APPEARS CROSS RIVER MAY NOT BE COVID19 FREE- UNIVERSITY OF CALABAR TEACHING HOSPITAL CONFIRMS INDEX CASE
The Chief Medical Director of the University of Calabar has revealed that there are indications that Cross River may not be COVID 19 free.
Prof. Ikpeme A. Ikpeme revealed this in an internal memo sent to patients, staff, and management of the teaching hospital on June 25.
In the memo, it was revealed that the Rapid test result of a patient in the Hospital tested for Covid-19 came back positive.
In light of this, UCTH said although the patient has now recovered, “staff and patients should protect themselves as maximally as possible” from the virus.
However, the Cross River Government has rebuffed UCTH’s findings on Coronavirus, saying the test Rapid Diagnostic test kit used by the Hospital is not reliable.
READ MORE: CALABAR: COVID OR MALARIA? CROSS RIVER WALKS ON THIN LINE AS SCHOOL RESUMES
“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,” the State’s Ministry of Health said.
Although the State Government claims it has commenced an investigation into the case, it firmly insists that Cross River is COVID 19 free.
“As a state Government, we have commenced 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!,” The health ministry reiterated.
UCTH disclosed that NCDC had approved the Hospital as an independent test centre. “Henceforth, the Hospital can now send samples directly to NCDC accredited Laboratories while the NCDC works to help set up and accredit our Laboratory,” UCTH management disclosed.
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