Osinbajo tests negative for coronavirus but will continue to self-isolate for the time being

VICE president Professor Yemi Osinbajo has tested negative for the dreaded coronavirus after he went into self-isolation over the last week amid fears that he may have contacted the virus from President Muhammadu Buhari's chief of staff Mallam Abba Kyari.

Mallam Kyari has tested positive for the virus and has since been flown to an isolated location in Lagos where he is receiving treatment. Last week, he returned from a trip to Germany and Egypt, where it is believed he contracted the virus but upon his return to Nigeria, Mallam Kyari met with ministers and the Federal Executive Council.

It is feared that during his interaction with other members of the government, Mallam Kyari could have spread the virus among them. Over the last few days, however, President Buhari has tested negative for the virus, while Professor Osinbajo has gone into self-isolation in line with the recommendation of medical experts.

Senator Babafemi Ojudu, the special adviser to the president on political matters, revealed this morning that results from Professor Osinbajo's tests have returned negative. It is believed that the vice president will continue his self-isolation, however, as over the last 24 hours, he has been communicating with ministers through phone calls, emails, teleconferences and video links.

Laolu Akande, Professor Osinbajo's spokesman, said: “Vice president Osinbajo conducted his meetings at the office yesterday via video conferencing while observing social distancing. Today, he continues his work from the home office, as he is in self-isolation in accordance with Nigeria Centre for Disease Control protocols.”

As of at this morning, the total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Nigeria had swelled to 46 following the announcement of two new cases in Osun and Lagos by the NCDC. So far, the nation has only suffered one fatality from the pandemic.