A virologist known as Prof. Mathew Kolawole who is the Director of the Institute of Molecular Sciences and Biotechnology at the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) made a revelation that Coronavirus was reported back then in 2017 in Nigeria.
The professor who was just added into the Ministerial Advisory Committee on COVID-19 told newsmen (NAN) on Monday, 18th of May, 2020 that;
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“It is not new to us, this virus has been with us. It is just that we have this novel strain of coronavirus which is in circulation globally. We reported coronavirus OC’23 strain in Nigeria”
Prof. Mathew Kolawole added that the spread of the virus at that time was due to over-crowding of people and that is why the social distancing guidelines which have been put in place by NCDC and WHO needs to be followed.
“We need to look at the transmission modes of the virus, particularly the one that has to do with overcrowding. Part of the study/investigation that we did in 2017 established that factor.”
“We need to be careful, follow all the indoor precautions, particularly the ones that have to do with the spread of the virus.” the prof said.
He also added that it is of pity that some Nigerians do not believe the virus is real in Nigeria.
