COVID-19: 40 contacts of late Imo hotelier under close monitor

The Federal Capital Territory Administration has put 40 contacts under close watch following the death of the owner of Fancy Hotel, Owerri, Mr Christogonus Osuagwu, in Abuja.

Osuagwu was said to have flown into the country from South Africa via Abuja. He visited Owerri, where he fell sick.

He returned to Abuja where he was said to have died of the infection.

A kinsman of the deceased who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity had said the community had not been thrown into panic since Osuagwu’s death because he did not spend much time in the village.

“The deceased did not spend much time at home before he went back to Abuja where he tested positive for coronavirus and later died. So, we are not afraid of the outbreak of the disease in our village,” he had told our correspondent

Investigation by our correspondent revealed that 40 contacts are already in self-isolation in various destinations in the FCT.

It was also learnt that samples from the wife and son of the deceased had been sent for testing.

But authorities of the FCT are keeping the results under wraps.

The state epidemiologist, Dr Mary John, told our correspondent that their results were matter of privacy for them.

“They have their right to privacy, so you don’t expect me to reveal their status to you. His wife and son samples have been taken for tests and results are available but won’t be disclosed,” she said.

Dr John,  however, said any of the contacts that might display symptoms would be quarantined.

“The FCTA is in close monitoring of the 40 contacts, they are in self isolation. We are also in touch with the Imo State Government for the tracing of other contacts. Anyone that displays symptoms will be quarantined. We are monitoring the situation,” she said.

She, however, refused to divulge details surrounding the burial of the body.

But a top health official confided in our correspondent that the body of the deceased was released to the family after it was disinfected.

“His body was disinfected before it was released for burial under close monitoring. In ideal situation, the government supposed to take over the burial rites but there is no law backing that at the moment,” the source said.Punch