Lagos has recorded a new case of the Coronavirus disease, popularly known as COVID-19, bringing the number of confirmed cases in Nigeria to three.
According to the State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, the third confirmed case is a 30-year old Nigerian who returned from the United Kingdom on 13th of March via British Airways flight BA 075, having spent 10 days in the United Kingdom and had been on self-isolation before developing fever and high cough.
Abayomi stated that the patient had complied strictly with isolation principles which makes contact tracing less cumbersome, adding that she is presently receiving treatment at the Mainland Infectious Disease Hospital, Yaba.
“She developed high fever and cough during her self-isolation period immediately she arrived in the country. She has tested positive and was admitted last night at the Infectious Disease Hospital, Yaba”, he said.
The Commissioner explained further that the immediate family members of the newly confirmed case have since been isolated in a family suite with separate rooms at the Mainland Hospital, noting that their samples have been taken and results are expected before end of the day.
Abayomi, while noting that the State government is not relenting in its fight against the spread of the virus in Lagos, said contact tracing for all passengers on the British Airways flight has commenced.
He, however, advised all those on the flight to isolate themselves in their various homes and contact the Ministry of Health on the dedicated toll-free and emergency lines for assistance.
He said, “If you were a passenger on British Airways flight BA 075 that arrived in Lagos on 13th March, 2020, stay at home and isolate yourself for 14 days and call the Ministry of Health’s Toll-Free and Emergency lines”.
While imploring all citizens to practice the principle of social distancing in their daily activities as a measure to help curtail the spread of the disease, the Commissioner urged members of the public to avoid body contact, handshakes and unnecessary social gatherings.
“During this period, we should practice social distancing, avoid body contact, handshakes and only attend necessary social gatherings. Make sure you and the people around you follow good respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or handkerchief when you cough or sneeze”, he said
Giving an update on the index case being managed at the Mainland General Hospital, Yaba, Abayomi noted that the patient remains on admission although in excellent condition but he is still secreting a very small amount of the virus.
The Commissioner disclosed that the result of the patient who had contact with the index case at Lafarge factory was negative twice and has been discharged from the hospital as there is no longer any trace of the virus in him.
Urging members of the public not to panic, Abayomi assured that the State government will continue to strengthen its surveillance strategy and announced the newly introduced toll-free line: 08000CORONA, in addition to the already existing emergency lines.
He, therefore, enjoined residents to call the new line or any of the other existing emergency lines – 0805978886, 08035387653, 08028971864, 08023169485, 08033565529 and 08052817243 to report suspicious cases or to get accurate information on COVID19Lagos.
