Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, after the blood samples of his late Chief Security Officer tested positive for Covid-19, says the virus is real and remains a present grave threat to life.
Tinubu and his wife, Oluremi, who immediately submitted themselves to coronavirus tests, said : “Covid-19 is a real and present threat. Those of us who discount it or claim it is a fabrication do a grave and dangerous disservice to the public well-being.
“As a precautionary measure taken soon after the death of Alhaji Raheem, His Excellency Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and all their aides took COVID-19 tests Saturday, April 25. The results of the tests were returned this morning.’’
Tinubu gladly announced in a statement: “Test results for both Asiwaju and Senator TInubu were negative.
“The results of one aide were positive. The rest of the staff was negative. The one staff member has been isolated in accordance with NCDC guidelines.
“Further contact tracing and COVID-19 tests are being conducted by the NCDC with regard to the relatives and possible contacts of that staff member.’’
Tinubu said those who stigmatise people who might have been stricken by the virus were also doing a disservice by casting blame on the innocent and discouraging people from taking the COVID test.
“We cannot defeat this health menace through ignorance or by shaming one another. We can only beat it through transparency, knowledge and compassion. This, we have learned first-hand.
“Following the death of our well-respected and beloved Chief Security Officer, Alhaji Lateef Raheem, NCDC medics took the wise precaution of taking samples from his body for testing to actually determine the cause of death.
“Today, the test results are back. The samples tested positive for Covid-19,’’ the former Lagos State governor said in the statement issued by his Media Office signed Tunde Rahman, a copy of which was emailed to Persecondnews.
Tinubu stressed that openness and transparency must be observed to defeat the disease, saying there is no house immune to its entry, contracting the virus should not bring social or moral stigma any more than contracting malaria or a common cold.
“We cannot overcome this challenge by acting like it does not exist or by trying to conceal that someone may have it due to social shame. The culture of denial is counterproductive and will do great harm in our current situation.
“You should not be afraid to be tested if you have any symptoms or if you believe you may have come in contact with someone who has been infected. We must do all we can to contain the spread of the virus and to well treat those of us who have been hit by it.
“As you go about your day, we know you must find daily sustenance. Yet, please continue to do all you can to maintain social distance and to take all other public health measures to protect yourself and others. In this way, we all may contribute to halt the spread of this virus,’’ Tinubu said.
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