The Lagos State government has revealed how the deadly Coronavirus got into Lagos adding that it has started tracing all those who came in contact with the Italian who came into Lagos with the deadly disease.
At a press briefing following the announcement that an Italian had tested positive to the Coronavirus disease in Lagos, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu said the state government, since 10pm Thursday night has begun to contact persons the Italian had contact with from his arrival at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos to Ogun State, where he was first tested, and back to Lagos.
He however allayed the fears of Lagosians, saying the patient is in stable condition and in confinement to prevent its spread.
“The patient remains in strict confinement in our Containment Centre in Yaba. We have started connecting his contacts from the Lagos airport to Ogun State and tracking people who might have come in contact with him.
The Italian’s journey began from Milan, Italy, had a transit at Istanbul, Turkey and landed in Lagos. At the time he arrived Lagos, he did not show signs of the disease. He went to Ogun State to do his business with a company and was lodged within the confines of the company’s hotel. By afternoon Thursday, he started showing 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 in 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.’
Lagos Governor
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.
Speaking at the press conference, the State Commissioner for Health, Prof Akin Abayomi, said the state is working in collaboration with international partners to ensure the disease does not spread across Nigeria, adding that the ministry is presently working with the Federal Ministry of Health to track all those the Italian had contact with. He also assured that the state has the capacity to treat whoever tests positive to the disease.
He however advised Lagosians not to panic as the patient is being carefully watched.
