The Director-General of the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, has described as false reports that he has been quarantined after returning from a China trip.
Instead, he said, he is on self-isolation at home working.
Appearing before the Senate on Tuesday, the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, had said that the NCDC boss was in quarantine.
“Chikwe had gone (to China) and come back and has done the test. It is negative, but we have insisted that he must undergo the 14-day of quarantine which is why he is not here today.
“He is not allowed to come out until after 14 days, because if you make rules, you must also obey them, which is to set example for Nigerians that the head of NCDC is self-quarantined as we speak. He’s very well but he has to follow the rules,” the minister said.
Reacting, Ihekweazu confirmed that he was a member of the delegation of the WHO that visited China recently.
However, he denied being quarantined as widely reported.
“I was not quarantined. I was part of the delegation of the DG of the WHO to China for research and I have since returned. I am not being quarantined please.
“I am well and have continued my duties from home since my return from China as part of the WHO-China Mission on #COVID19.
“The rumour that I am sick or in quarantine is obviously false.
I look forward to returning to the office after 14 days of self-isolation,” The Punch quoted him as saying.
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