Ayodele Olalere
Lagos State government has narrated how the deadly Coronavirus was discovered in Lagos. It also said it has started tracing all those who had come in contact with the Italian discovered in Lagos to have contracted the deadly disease.
At a press briefing on Thursday following the announcement that an Italian has been tested positive to the disease in Lagos, Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu said the state government, since 10pm Thursday night has began to contact people the Italian had contact with right from the Lagos airport to Ogun State, where he was first tested, and back to Lagos.
He, however, allayed fears of the spread of the disease, saying the patient is in stable condition and confinement to prevent its spread.
READ ALSO: http://Demand to declare Orji Kalus’s seat vacant presumptuous – Onuoha-Bourdex
“The patient remains in strict confinement in our containment centre in Yaba. We have started his contacts from the airport to Ogun State and tracking people who might have come in contact with him. The Italian started his journey from Milan, Italy, transit at Istanbul, Turkey and landed in Lagos. At the time he arrived Lagos, he did not show the sign of the disease. He went to Ogun State to do his business with a company and was lodged within the confinement of the company’s hotel. By afternoon Thursday, he started to show signs of high fever. He presented himself to the company’s hospital for test. He was tested and the company contacted Lagos for further test. We asked them to transfer to Lagos and was brought on Thursday morning. Test was conducted on him at our Incident Centre and results showed positivity to the disease,” the governor said.
He added the patient is in stable condition, saying “symptoms are subsiding and does not have respiratory symptoms.”
He advised Lagosians to be more conscious of their personal hygiene and maintain strict environmental hygiene.
“We should observe proper hygiene. Wash your hands with soap and water. If you are sneezing and coughing often, stay two metres away from people. Avoid touching your mouth or nose frequently and ensure they are well washed,” he advised.
The state Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, in his contribution said the state is working in collaboration with international partners to ensure the disease does not spread in Nigeria, adding the ministry is presently working with Federal Ministry of Health to track all those the Italian had contact with. He also promised the state capacity to treat whoever is tested positive to the disease.
He, however, advised Lagosians not to panic as the patient is being carefully watched.
