EVACUATION: 72 Nigerians abroad test positive for COVID-19

At least 72 Nigerians in Guangzhou city, Guangdong Province of China have been diagnosed with the deadly coronavirus, according to reports from The Punch.

The number shot up on Tuesday after the test result of 56 others came back positive, adding to the already confirmed 16 cases, making a total of 72 infections.

MyNigeria.com believes that the 56 persons are part of the over 2,000 potential Nigerian evacuees from China, the United States, United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates and other countries.

Following this discovery, 65 possible contacts are also being traced, according to the Chinese authorities.

The Foreign Affairs Office of Guangzhou Municipal People’s Government disclosed this in a note verbale (diplomatic correspondence) to the Nigerian Consulate in Guangzhou dated April 22, 2020.

The correspondence sighted by The Punch on Wednesday read in part, "According to the data by the Guangzhou Municipal Health Commission on April 21, there are currently 16 confirmed cases and 56 positive test cases among Nigerian citizens in Guangzhou, as well as 65 cases of contact.

"We invite the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Guangzhou to supervise Nigerian citizens in Guangzhou so they can abide by the law of the People’s Republic of China on the prevention and control of infectious diseases."

"Asian citizens understand Guangzhou’s epidemic prevention and control; work and cooperate with China’s political support.”

The note verbal was written in Mandarin and translated into English using Google Translate.

The PUNCH report also added that the acting Nigerian Consul-General, Mr Razaq Lawal, had gone on self-isolation having mingled with the affected Nigerians during their protest against the Chinese authorities.

Efforts to contact Lawal have been futile since Wednesday as his mobile line was unavailable.

The Punch