The Lagos State University University Hospital (LASUTH) in Ikeja, Lagos, says that no patient with Lassa fever or COVID-19 symptoms has been admitted to their health facility.
Dr. Oladeji Adewunmi, medical officer of health, Department of Clinical Services at LASUTH, clarified in an interview with the Nigeria News Agency (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos. Adewunmi said that decisions regarding patient management were made according to a strict standard protocol and not at the whim of anyone.
He said all of the cases had been confirmed and verified by the hospital’s infection control specialist, after an appropriate examination, history and laboratory verification were required.
“The protocol is that if a patient comes in and has suspected COVID-19 or Lassa fever symptoms, the patient will be isolated and tests done. “This patient is a 39 year old male, he was admitted on February 28 and was discharged on March 2.” On presentation, the provisional diagnosis was Viral Exanthem, Viral Haemorrhagic Fever or Coronavirus, but after a more detailed examination; the microbiology and infection control team said it was Viral Exanthem.
“Further testing confirmed the diagnosis. “He was initially put in the holding area at the medical emergency before review by the medical microbiology and infection control team, and then, transferred to the isolation room in the medical ward. “After the screening tests, he was transferred to the general pool of patients,” he said. Responding to why a patient with Viral Exanthem was placed in the general ward with other patients, Adewunmi said the laboratory results showed that he was not infectious. According to him, this, however, led to his early discharge from the hospital. Viral Exanthem in Adults: Condition, Treatments, and Pictures … According to an online publication, www.skinsight.com, Viral Exanthem, also known as non-specific viral rash, is a rash caused by a viral infection. “Many viruses can cause a similar-appearing rash, so it is difficult to tell which one is the culprit. Your age, duration of illness, and other symptoms may suggest which virus is the cause.” Adewunmi noted that there was a high rate of suspicion among the people and health workers, saying that a case of scabies and postpartum hemorrhage had caused panic in the hospital the previous month.
He reiterated LASUTH’s commitment to global
best practice and precaution to screen, isolate and treat suspected patients,
as well as protect the people of the state. NAN reports that there had been
speculations that a patient who was emitting blood from his body was presented
at the hospital on Feb. 28.
Also It was further gathered that the hospital had
placed the patient in the general ward at the Medical Emergency Unit without
conducting appropriate diagnostic tests. A source, who pleaded anonymity in the
hospital, had said that the patient’s stayed at the ward with other patients.
It was learned that this, however, resulted in an uproar and displeasure that
eventually forced the hospital management to relocate the patient from the
general ward, and also conducted a test on him.