Professor Jesse Otegbayo, Chief Medical Director/ Chief Executive Officer of the University College Hospital, Ibadan and the provost and deputy provost of the University of Ibadan’s College of Medicine, Professors Oluwabunmi Olapade-Olaopa and Obafunke Denloye respectively have tested positive for coronavirus, joining the growing list of high profile Nigerians who have tested positive to the pandemic virus.

This was made known in a statement which was signed and made available to COEAFRICA by the CMD on Sunday morning.

The statement, which was personally signed by him, read, “Unfortunately, my result returned positive on Saturday afternoon and I remain in isolation as I am not symptomatic.

“All staff who have been in contact with me and other participants during this period have been advised to immediately proceed on self-isolation pending the time they get tested.”

He, however, clarified that though he attended a board meeting three days before testing positive, social distancing was maintained.

Otegbayo suggested that he could have contracted the disease from one of those who attended the meeting.

He added, “On Monday 23rd March, we commenced a 12-man quarterly board meeting which was meant to last five days in the hospital, we observed social distancing and other precautionary measures for Coronavirus as much as possible.

“However, on Wednesday morning, one of us presented with what appeared to be symptoms of Coronavirus, his samples were immediately taken for test and the meeting called off.

“His results returned positive on Friday morning and every participant (including me) immediately went into self-isolation while our samples were also taken for the test.

“COVID-19 is spreading faster than we think and I enjoin everyone to take precautions. If one person has it, then a gathering of two becomes dangerous. Stay at home, avoid unnecessary outing and stay safe.”

Also, the provost, College of Medicine Prof. Olapade-Olaopa in a statement released on Sunday stated that he and his deputy have tested positive for COVID-19.

Prof. Olapade-Olaopa said “I wish to inform you that the Deputy Provost and I tested positive for the COVID-19 following tests done on Friday.

“Although we are both asymptomatic, we have gone into self-isolation for 14 days whilst our contacts are being observed closely to determine if they should also be tested”.