COVID-19: Nigerian first daughter in self-isolation

ANKARA (AA) - One of Nigeria’s first daughters, who recently returned from the U.K., is in self-isolation because of the coronavirus, according to the country’s first lady.

“Earlier today my daughter returned from the UK being among the high burden listed countries of COVID-19,” Aisha Buhari tweeted without naming the daughter. “Based on the advice of the Hon. Minister Of Health, Presidential Task Force on COVID - 19 and that of [Nigeria Centre for Disease Control], she is on self-isolation, not because she displayed any symptoms of the COVID-19.”

“Please I urge all parents to do the same if possible as prevention is better than cure,” she added.

The first lady also announced she closed her office as a preventive measure.

"Similarly, I have shut down my office for two weeks with immediate effect while essential staff can work from home as a result of some staff who recently returned from the UK," she tweeted.

The actions follow Nigeria’s first death from the virus that was confirmed Wednesday.

Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Mojisola Yaya-Kolade said a 27-year-old U.S. national from Richmond, Virginia, who was on a visit, died after falling ill, according to the local Punch website.

COVID-19 emerged in Wuhan, China last December, and has spread to at least 159 countries and territories. The World Health Organization declared the outbreak a pandemic.

Out of more than 222,000 confirmed cases, the death toll now exceeds 9,100, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University in the U.S.

Despite the rising number of cases, most who become infected suffer only mild symptoms and recover.