The Honourable Minister of Health, Dr E. Osagie Ehanire, has announced that the 2nd person to contract the novel coronavirus in Nigeria has now tested negative.

Channels TV quoted him as revealing this during a press briefing in Abuja this morning, Friday, 13th March 2020.

The Health Minister also revealed that out of the 42 persons that were screened, only 2 persons came out positive.

“The contact of the index case is testing negative for the virus now, meaning he has cleared the virus and will be allowed to go home,” Dr Osagie Ehanire disclosed to journalists.

“Between January 7 and March 12, 2020, a total of 42 people who met our case definition have been screened for COVID 19 in Edo, Lagos, Ogun, Yobe, Rivers and Kano states, and the Federal Capital Territory.

#COVID19Nigeria: Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire says the second case of the coronavirus has tested negative. pic.twitter.com/gE2S1Z9GwQ

— TVC News (@tvcnewsng) March 13, 2020

“40 tested negative and two were confirmed positive. These two are the index case and a contact with the index case. No death has been recorded.”

Meanwhile, Dr Osagie reiterated that the index case, the 44-year-old Italian from Milan, is currently recovering and will be discharged soon.

“The index case is clinically stable and is much improved. Stable progress until next week will guide the medical team in discharging him,” the Minister added.