The Chief of Staff to the President, Mr Abba Kyari has said based on medical advice, he will be transferred to Lagos for additional tests and observation after testing positive for COVID-19 disease.

The media aide who was confirmed to be positive last week and thereafter went into self-isolated noted that he’ll be getting treatment at his own expense in order not to burden the public health system, although he claimed he has not experienced high fever or any other symptoms associated with the coronavirus.

He has been working from home since he tested positive for COVID-19, the Chief of Staff said hopes to return to his desk soon.

He assured that he has colleagues as a backup who are young, professional, knowledgeable and patriotic and are working seven days a week, to serve the president and people of Nigeria.

The statement reads in full:

I am writing to let you know that on medical advice, I will be transferred to Lagos later today for additional tests and observation. This is a precautionary measure: I feel well, but last week, I tested positive for coronavirus, the pandemic that is sweeping the world. I have followed all the protocols the government has announced to self-isolate and quarantine.

I have made my own care arrangements to avoid further burdening the public health system, which faces so many pressures. Like many others that will test also positive, I have not experienced high fever or other symptoms associated with this new virus and have been working from home.

I hope to be back at my desk very soon. I have a team of young, professional, knowledgeable and patriotic colleagues, whose dedication has been beyond the call of duty, who continue to work seven days a week, with no time of the day spared. We will continue to serve the President and people of Nigeria, as we have for the past five years.

I want to thank all our fantastic, talented and brave healthcare professionals, working across the country in such a difficult time; all the good Samaritans looking out for the most vulnerable in our communities; the key workers that will keep our country going through this; friends and family and often strangers, who have sent me such warm wishes and displayed such a generosity of spirit.

We should be calm, measured and diligent – be meticulous in your hygiene, especially with cleaning hands, if possible stay at home or keep your distance. Listen to good advice from the proper authorities: pay no heed to quack cures or fake news from social media. President Buhari will do whatever it takes to protect the health and safety of our people and get the country back on its feet as soon as possible.

Like the whole world, we are dealing with a new disease. Our experts are learning more all the time about coronavirus, what it does and how we can combat it. What we do know is that while some may become very sick, many others who contract the virus will not, and may have no symptoms at all. This is a disease that recognises no difference between north and south, men or women, rich or poor. We are all in this together.