By Adedapo Adesanya
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, has tested positive for COVID-19.
Mr Onyeama made this disclosure via his Twitter page on Sunday, July 19, 2020.
He becomes the first minister in the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to contract the disease.
According to Mr Onyeama, he tested positive in his fourth COVID-19 test on Saturday after he developed symptoms of a throat irritation.
He further stated that he is now heading for isolation in a health facility.
“[I] Did my fourth COVID-19 test yesterday (Saturday) at the first sign of a throat irritation and unfortunately, this time, it came back positive.
“That is life! win some lose some. Heading for isolation in a health facility and praying for the best,” the Minister said.
This is coming as the cases have now officially passed 36,000. On Saturday, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) said the total number of people who have contracted the virus in Nigeria has now risen to 36,107 out of which 14,938 people have recovered and have been discharged.
According to the health agency, 653 cases and six deaths were also recorded in Saturday, bringing the fatality from the virus to 778.
Lagos remains the epicentre of the disease in Nigeria with over a third (13,341) of the total cases.
There are cases in all 36 states of the federation including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
