Doctors who'd gone on strike indefinitely in Nigeria after not being paid for months have called it off "for the sake of humanity".
"Considering the recent coronavirus cases in the country and the commitment shown by stakeholders in the health sector" they would suspend their strike, the Nigeria Association of Resident Doctors added in the statement.
Nigeria confirmed four new cases of coronavirus on Sunday, bringing its total to 30.
The Nigerian Centre for Disease Control confirmed that all the new cases had travelled from high-risk countries in the last week. Officials say they have started to track down people they may have been in contact with.
Meanwhile, measures to stop the spread of the disease are being stepped up. Rail passenger services and international flights to Nigeria will be suspended on Monday, and people will be banned from standing in buses if all the seats are occupied.
Civil servants have been told to stay at home for the next 14 days, and the private sector is being urged to do the same with their own non-essential staff. Officials have called upon traditional leaders to advise communities to change their behavior and avoid gatherings.
Veteran Nigerian politician and business tycoon Atiku Abubakar has confirmed on Twitter that his son is among those who have tested positive. He said his son has been moved to a hospital in the capital, Abuja, for treatment:
My son has tested positive to coronavirus. @NCDCGov has been duly informed, and he has been moved to Gwagwalada Specialist Teaching Hospital in Abuja for treatment and management. I will appreciate it if you have him in your prayers. Stay safe, coronavirus is real. -AA
— Atiku Abubakar (@atiku) March 22, 2020
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