Commissioner Makes U-turn, Says Dubai Returnee Didn't Die From COVID-19 Complications

The Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi has said the 32-year-old Dubai returnee who was presumed to be the 34th COVID-19 related death in Lagos on Monday did not die from COVID-19 complications.

The Commissioner  disclosed  this via his Twitter handle on Thursday, adding that the ‘gold standard test’ conducted on the deceased patient turned out negative.

The Commissioner had earlier tweeted the death of the patient on Tuesday

He wrote;

“Another COVID-19 infection related death involving 32-year-old male has been recorded. The deceased recently returned from Dubai with severe underlying health condition, following evacuation of Nigerians in foreign countries by@DigiCommsNG."

However, on Wednesday, the commissioner said the death was a “presumed” COVID-19 death, and apologised for the error.

He wrote,

“The death of a recent Dubai returnee previously announced on my social media handles earlier was a presumed COVID-19 related death.

“I regret any misinterpretation this post might have caused. The result of COVID-19 test conducted will be published once it is ready. Thanks for your understanding."

He finally said the result of the patient came on Thursday and turned out negative.

He wrote,

“I hereby inform the general public that the Nigerian who recently returned from Dubai as part of a group of returnees who were placed in a COVID-19 isolation program in lekki, developed complications and was transferred to one of our facilities where he died.

“Because of the sudden nature of his demise and without any prior knowledge of his multiple preexisting conditions, it was presumed to be a COVID-19 related death pending confirmation by COVID-19 Gold standard test.

“This presumptive attribution is a precaution to ensure the safe clinical management of the patient and subsequent handling of the corpse.

“The definitive COVID-19 gold standard test has turned out to be negative for the COVID-19 infection and his death is no longer considered to have been attributable to COVID-19."