Kunle Adelabu
-No cause for alarm – State Govt.
Residents of Ikorodu are now apprehensive as suspected case of COVID – 19 is said to have been discovered at the General Hospital (GH) in Ikorodu.
The apprehension was aggravated due to the rumoured cases of individuals infected with the virus some weeks ago in Igbogbo, Bayeku, Erunwen and other parts of the division.
The situation became worrisome as there has been no statement from either local or state government confirming or denying the alleged discoveries which would have reassured residents.
Government had about a week ago stated that the ravaging coronavirus has now attained community transmission stage and this has also raised so much concern among as there has been frequent presence of ambulances which were driven around the community with full kitted medical personnel in the last couple of days.
The information about the COVID-19 case in the Ikorodu General Hospital which was released about three days ago, has since gone viral on social media.
According to the information reportedly released by a staff of the hospital, the alleged case was brought into the hospital on the Sunday, April 12, 2020, on the ground that the victim, who was a female resident, was suffering from fever, hyperglycaemia and body weakness.
She was said to had subsequently been admitted for Hyperglycaemia.
The information further stated that the suspicion over the woman’s women’s health status as a possible case of COVID-19 arose when one of the nurses claimed to have heard one of her relatives whispering her travel history to someone close to her (the victim).
It was also gathered that the patient died overnight and that the hospital management got in touch with the officials of the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) who came the following evening to take sample of her remains.
Report also had it that the staff members who had contact with the patient were told to self – isolate pending the release of the result of the test which later came out positive.
Seven staff members of the Ikorodu general hospital that allegedly had contact with the patient were – one doctor, two nurses and four attendants/porters.
Our reporter, who has been covering the six Local Government (LG) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in Ikorodu Division since the beginning of the lockdown, received several calls to confirm the alleged suspected case of COVID – 19 at the Ikorodu General Hospital.
Attempts to reach the hospital’s management proved abortive as calls and SMS sent to the mobile phones of both the Medical Director and the Public Relations Officer were not responded to.
A source, who do not want his name in print, while speaking with THE IMPACT, stated that he was informed that a patient’s sample was collected at the hospital about three days for COVID – 19 test by the NCDC but that he has not heard about the result of the test.
A senior media aide to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, responding to our reporter’s SMS on the matter, replied that the alleged COVID-19 cases at the lkorodu General Hospital and other places in Ikorodu division are mere rumor, adding that Ikorodu residents have nothing to fear.
“The truth is it’s all rumour. There’s nothing to be afraid of”, he simply replied.
Meanwhile, some of the residents of Ikorodu that spoke with THE IMPACT confirmed the apprehension that has pervaded Ikorodu community due to suspected cases of COVID – 19 which were alleged to have been discovered in some parts of the division.
They also faulted the management of information on the Coronavirus by the state government.
Mrs Ruka Onabanjo, a businesswoman and social media commentator, stated that government has not been transparent enough in the way cases of COVID – 19 have been managed and suggested that there is need for residents in the state to know areas where Coronavirus patients are discovered.
This, she stated will help residents of the state that are flouting the stay-at-home directive by the government to exercise caution.
“The state government has not been very transparent with the recent developments concerning COVID – 19 patients discovered in the state”, she stated.
“The death rates are increasing, if the State’s Ministry of Health can disclose the areas and not just the states where victims were diagnosed with the virus and later lead to death, it would force people to comply with the stay at home rule”, she suggested.
“Some people are confused with the figures been dished out by the NCDC on COVID-19, while other sceptical about the existence of the virus in the country”.
She also complained about lack of relief materials for the people across the division.
“Since the government cannot cater for all, as a result, we might have to start looking for other means to fight the deadly virus than the compulsory lockdown”.
A political scientist and social media activist, Tayo Odesanya, also argued in same line with Madam Onabanjo, stating that the management process adopted by the government is not transparent and that it is discouraging residents from adhering to the stay at home order issued to contain the spread of the virus.
“The COVID – 19 management process by LASG to me grossly lacks transparency and not helping Lagosians’ compliance with the stay-at-home directive.” He stated.
“It appears shrouded in some secrecy and antithetical to the western practice as adopted. CNN & other western media giants intermittently televise stories of the dead and survivors alike, thereby striking fear into their citizenry and compelling their compliance but the reverse is the case here that is largely an illiterate society.
“I won’t nurse any optimism, should the status quo remain”.
Another resident, who commended the state government’s effort so far regarding the management of the Coronavirus in the state, also opined that the state government needs to give more information to make residents understand the gravity of the situation.
“Lagos State Government, under the leadership of Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has been doing well work in managing the COVID – 19 situation in the state. The Federal Government has also acknowledged this.
“But the government has also failed to understand that residents need support, in form of food and money, for them to comply with the stay-at-home directive.
“In most parts of Ikorodu, people are not complying with the stay at home order because they do not have anything to eat and feed their families with. The government has failed to carter for its citizenry”.
He also stated that people need to have more information especially now that the government stated that the COVID – 19 has attain community transmission.
“The only way for people to know that the deadly virus is real is by assisting people to know that they can easily contact it if they do not comply with stipulated measures. The only way to do that is for government to let us know areas where those who tested positive are residing.
“People in that locality could help government in providing information regarding where these COVID-19 carriers had been to and at same time, ensure compliance since everyone in the area would either want to go for test or adhere to the stay at home order”.
So far, Lagos has recorded 309 cases with 94 discharged and 14 deaths.
