COVID-19: NCDC Reviews Guidelines, Orders Release Of Patients After Testing Negative Once

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, has announced a review of the national case management guideline and criteria for the discharge of COVID-19 patients in the country.

The review was announced by the Director General of NCDC, Dr. Chike Ihekweazu in a message he wrote to his colleagues.

Based on the new criteria, COVID-19 patients would henceforth be discharge after testing negative once unlike before when a patient must test negative twice before being discharged.

This review, according to the DG, was necessitated by the increase in cases recorded in the country.

“I thank you for your strong leadership, as our country responds to the outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The number of new cases has increased in the last few weeks, with 4,399 confirmed cases reported from 34 states and the Federal Capital Territory, as at May 10, 2020.”

“Following the transmission patterns, an increase in cases and review of the epidemiological data in Nigeria, I write to inform you of a review of the national discharge criteria.”

“Patients with COVID-19 should be discharged based on the first negative test result during follow up and significant improvement in clinical symptoms as determined by the managing physician. This means patients will no longer have to wait for a second negative result from the laboratory before discharge,” the DG, Dr. Chike Ihekweazu wrote.

He added,”The national case management guideline and other guiding documents have been updated to reflect this change. Please ensure this is communicated to all relevant stakeholders involved in the management of COVID-19 cases and data.

“The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control remains committed to supporting your state and institution, as we jointly respond to this outbreak.”