Wednesday, November 04, 2020 / 02:44 PM / by Lagos State Ministry of Health / Header Image Credit: MSN
....Stresses need for Strict Adherence to
Safety Protocols
The Lagos State Government has once again stressed the
need for residents to strictly adhere to precautionary measures against
COVID-19 infection transmission to prevent a recurrence of the situation that
led to the lock down of the economy. A resurgence of cases in Lagos may lead to
the reversal of the strategically calculated measures put in place by the
Government to open up the economy.
Speaking on effort being made by the State Government
to sustain the gains that have been made to control the global pandemic in
Lagos State, Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi explained that many
countries and cities are experiencing a second and third wave of the COVID-19
pandemic with a resultant spike in the number of cases and fatalities.
He noted that many of the affected countries around
the world have found it necessary to impose a second lockdown and restriction
of movements, which have significant socioeconomic and security consequences.
"The first wave of Coronavirus started in December
2019 and swept through an unprepared world. The first case of COVID-19 in
Nigeria was recorded in Lagos on the 27th of February 2020. Lagos has since
become the epicentre of the outbreak in Nigeria with a record of 21,107
confirmed cases and 212 deaths from the virus till date.
"The containment measures put in place at the time
included COVID-19 testing, isolation and treatment, surveillance, total
shutdown of the State for about 12 weeks and partial shutdown of social,
economic and academic activities for over four months", Abayomi recalled.
The Commissioner however warned that the continuous
flagrant disregard of safety guidelines by citizens heralds' danger and may
lead to a second wave of new infections in Lagos. He advised citizens against
unnecessary movement and social gatherings, unless it is absolutely necessary
stressing that travelling into and outside the Country should be discouraged
except when absolutely necessary.
Worried that the COVID-19 induced culture of face mask
use, social distancing and hand hygiene is gradually waning amongst citizens,
Abayomi calls for the reinforcement of the adoption and adherence of various
preventive measures put in place by the State government to tackle the disease.
"The erroneous belief that COVID-19 has been conquered
and is no more in Nigeria should be discarded. Based on our data, this
assumption is invalid. It creates a false sense of security amongst the
citizens causing many to abandon the use of face masks and other safety
measures and protocols put in place by the Government", the Commissioner said.
He added: "Though we have reached our peak as predicted and are now
experiencing a decline in the number of positive cases, this is not a reason to
conclude that all is over. COVID-19 is still very much with us as evidenced in
the number of cases being recorded in the community daily and occasional deaths
from severe complications.
"The reason for the decline in COVID-19 cases in Lagos
is attributable to a number of factors, including public adherence to safety
regulations of physical and social distancing, hand hygiene, use of face mask
in public places, expanded testing strategy and contact tracing, among others,
and this is the more reason why citizens should not relent in this regard if we
don't want to experience a second wave of the disease".
While noting that the widespread increasing COVID-19
testing capacity of the State has been very impactful in reducing community
transmission, Abayomi urges citizens who fall within the case definition of
COVID-19 infection to visit any of the dedicated COVID-19 sample collection
sites in their local government or our public laboratories to get a test done
free of charge.
He noted that early diagnosis allows for prompt and
adequate management and care, resulting in the prevention of transmission to
other citizens; particularly, vulnerable and elderly members of society who may
have underlying predispositions.
The Commissioner emphasized that COVID-19 testing for
other purposes, such as traveling or as a requirement for professional reasons
which are not part of the public health response, can be done at any of the 10
Government accredited private laboratories.
"It is important to put in place the right
understanding for the reasons to request and where to source a COVID-19 test.
If you are displaying symptoms within the case definition of COVID-19, you can
get a free test at any of the four designated COVID-19 public health
laboratories or get a sample taken at any of our LCDA sample collection
centers; however, if you require testing for any other reason such as
occupational related requirements or simple curiosity, then you may visit any
of the 10 accredited private laboratories or book a test online on the portal
covid19.lagosstatebiobank.com or the National portal specific for
travelers on nitp.ncdc.gov.ng", he said.
Abayomi explained that Lagos State has a quality
assurance process for every test that is done within its boundaries noting that
the importance of overseeing the process cannot be overemphasized because
COVID-19 is a public health care emergency.
"Therefore, it is important that we continually
oversee this process because COVID-19 is a public health threat and the process
of ensuring that people get tested as at when they need it and how it is being
done is strictly controlled", he said.
"You would recall that we recently suspended COVID-19
testing in one of the 10 accredited private laboratories due to some concerns
around quality assurance. The laboratory has gone through a revalidation
process and has now been allowed to recommence testing. This is part of the
supportive oversight functions of the Government through the Lagos State
Biobank", Abayomi added.
The Commissioner explained that the State is also
providing free of charge all social amenities, such as the EKOTELEMED service,
the delivery of COVID-19 Care packs, sample collection logistics as well as
monitoring and validation of all laboratories and isolation centers. "We are
doing everything required to maintain a high quality of testing and care within
the boundaries of Lagos State", Abayomi stated.
Abayomi further added that the Lagos State Governor
and Incident Commander, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, is very committed to protecting
the lives and livelihood of its residents as the State continue to permit
gradual return to socioeconomic activities. He noted that government would
continue to ensure that testing and isolation, if required, continue to be
accessible and free to citizens as required.
"This is not the time to relax our guards, if you have
any reason to believe you fit the case definition for COVID-19 or you have any
questions, please call the EKOTELEMED toll free line on 08000356633 to speak
with any of our medical personnel 24 hours a day, 7 days a week", the
Commissioner said.
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