UPDATE ON COVID-19 IN LAGOS.IT’S WICKED TO HOARD HAND SANITIZERS, FACE MASKS SAYS GOVERNOR SANWO-OLU

01/03/20

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DANIELS G.O

BPRESS RELEASE

Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos State has again re-assured Nigerians that the State is committed and prepared to prevent the human-to-human transmission of the virus, following the index case reported last Friday.

The Governor who was speaking during a visit on Sunday to the infectious disease center at Yaba,with his Deputy, and a host of other state officials of the Lagos state cabinet said both the State and Federal Government health care officials are working round the clock with infectious disease control professionals from the international agencies to ensure the counter measures being deployed to contain the virus achieved the desired results.

Sanwo-Olu said he was highly confident in the response approach initiated by the State’s Incident Command Centre in the wake of the outbreak of the virus, expressing optimism that the nation would survive the epidemic and put it behind.

He said the State had already upgraded its isolation facilities at the IDH in the case of escalation in the number of cases, revealing that two additional containment centres had been created with 80 bed spaces and necessary medical equipment to manage cases. Also, there are two mobile isolation wards of 15-bed capacity each stationed in the hospital.

Reacting to the report of scarcity of sanitary materials at pharmacy shops across the State, the Governor condemned the action, saying it was wicked for people to take the advantage of emergency situation to hoard and jerk the prices of face mask and hand sanitizer.

Sanwo-Olu also frowned at misinformation trailing the COVID-19 case being managed at the IDH, saying the public deserved to get accurate information about the management of the patient in isolation.

He urged the media practitioners to approach the appropriate quarters for updates and developments on the case being managed.

“Our citizens need to be calmed and assured that the professionals deployed to handle the virus outbreak are constantly on the ground to do it. The media should communicate and give accurate report to our citizens to let them know that authorities and the professionals that need to be on ground are working tirelessly to curtail virus,” he said.

He said he would be meeting with Governors of neighbouring States on Monday to draw up strategies in scaling up advocacy on the virus among people and also to design more

community-based approaches that would prevent the spread of the virus. There also would be meetings with local government officials and transport workers’ unions, the Governor said.

Commissioner for Health, Prof Akin Abayomi, likened the State’s response towards containing the outbreak of COVID-19 as “a war”, saying Lagos had deployed three levels of counter measure to stop the spread of the virus, which include medical, security and research.

He disclosed that Lagos and Ogun governments were constantly exchanging information, following the outbreak, adding that the movement of the index case had necessitated more cooperation between the two States.

FEW DAYS AFTER CORONA VIRUS HITS NIGERIA,SEE WHAT IS HAPPENING

29/02/20

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By Livinus Elcon-Emereonye

**Blissful Ignorance And Coronavirus fear*

It could go for a bestseller movie what people are doing in the name of Coronavirus.

Few hours and days of the virus being identified in Nigeria courtesy of the “Italian” visitor, the cyberspace and indeed the geographical entity called Nigeria had never remained the same.

The prices of some medical consumables have gone up by more than 1000% creating along with it artificial scarcity – and the dealers/traders cashed in on this to make billions! Is it an answered prayer for business breakthrough and success? The Chinese are everywhere in the markets to mop up whatever quantity of such items they can get.

Apart from medical consumables and pharmaceuticals, alcohol is on high demand. Some people especially the street urchins and uninformed thugs are not only drinking to stupor but they also wash their faces and possibly rub their bodies with alcohol just to prevent being infected by Coronavirus!

As usual, the religious institutions are not left behind. Some religious leaders have started making claims, prophesying that they can deal with the virus spiritually.

And of cause, the cure-all traditional healers will soon join the cure claim race.

But while fear rages and the management tempo increases, it seems nothing solid is being done in preparation for a possible Coronavirus epidemics.

As a consumer nation, can we learn anything from this. With an import based economy, how does the future look for us?

What does it take manufacture some of these things locally?

It’s high time we looked inward and redefine our priorities.

Now is the time to put on our thinking cap and do the needful.

Pharmaceutically but more as a public health concern, we can collaborate for the sake of humanity and save the world… Now is the time.

– Livy-Elcon Emereonye
29.02.20

LATEST ON CORONA VIRUS PATIENT & THE UBER DRIVER

29/02/20

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DANIELS G.O
PRESS RELEASE

CORONA VIRUS PATIENT NEVER ATTEMPTED TO ESCAPE

– Moved to a new facility

– Patient Stable, Condition Improved …LGSG

Lagos State Government has debunked news making the round that the index case of Corona Virus Disease isolated at the Lagos Mainland Hospital tried to escape.

State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi who debunked the news while giving an update on the index case at the Mainland Hospital today said the patient has never expressed any desire to leave the facility to the doctors and nurses who looks after him.

“I have spoken to him myself, he is doing very well, he is comfortable; he was comfortable yesterday and he is comfortable today”, Abayomi stated.

The Commissioner noted that the patient was initially kept in a single isolation room for his privacy when he was brought in because part of the facilities at the Mainland Hospital were being renovated. He added that the patient has subsequently been moved to one of the newly renovated wards.

He said As of this morning, his condition has improved, he hasn’t developed new symptoms but he still got a mild fever and we will be running test to see what the situation is with the virus in his body and as soon as we get a negative screen, we will keep him for another two or three days and repeat the test to make sure that there are no more virus particles in his saliva and that means that he will not be contagious. Then, we give the OK for him to be released back into the community”

Responding to the news of an uber driver who had contact with the index case and reported to have gone at large, Abayomi described the news as fake and untrue stressing that nothing of such happened.

On the issue of availability of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), the Commissioner assured that a stock of several hundred kits are available at the mainland hospital adding that PPEs have also been distributed to all the general hospitals and major primary health care facilities.

Professor Abayomi reaffirmed that the State government is prepared to contain and break the circle of transmission of the virus, he explained that the Lagos State Government have been building capacity for any biosecurity threats to Lagos since the Ebola virus incident of 2014.

“We have been preparing since Ebola incident of 2014 and as soon as Lagos was certified Ebola, we have been building capacity. This is evident in the level of sophistication in some of the facilities here at Mainland hospital. We have not been sitting down or relaxing, we don’t want to experience what happened in 2014 again, so we are ready and we will continue to build that capacity year by year”, Abayomi stated.

The Commissioner disclosed that the reformation plan for the Mainland hospital is a step by step process but very advanced adding that new facilities are being designed for the hospital with the ultimate goal of making it a centre of excellence for infectious diseases with a large capacity for isolating patients if there is any major outbreak.

“Presently, we are refurbishing the facilities to make sure anybody will bring here is in comfortable position. We are trying to improve the internal facilities of the wards; one ward is complete, it can hold 14 patients, the tents are complete, they can hold another 20 patients each, the fourth ward will be completed in another two days, that would hold another 14 patients”, he said.

“The facilities here are world class, we have a biosafety level 3 laboratory, which is one of the very few in the continent of Africa, very modern design, specially design to handle very dangerous pathogens so that we can make the diagnosis onsite and the staff there are specially trained, So we are ready for any biosecurity threat to Lagos State”, Abayomi stated.

HOW TO AVOID BEING INFECTED WITH CORONA VIRUS

28/02/20.[post-marguee]

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DANIELS G. O

With an index case of the corona virus now in Lagos,every one has to up his or her game for protection because the government can not do it alone.

Bear in mind that the Covid-19 virus has no respect for anymore.

While we pray,let’s back our prayers with adherence to precautionary measures below.

***SOME PREVENTIVE MEASURES TO OBSERVE

(1)Ensure that you and people around you follow good respiratory hygiene by covering mouths and noses with a handkerchief or tissue while sneezing or coughing. You can also sneeze or cough into your sleeve at the bent elbow.Then dispose of the used tissue immediately.

(2). Regularly and thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water, and use alcohol-based hand sanitiser.

(3) Ensure that you and people around you follow good respiratory hygiene by covering mouths and noses with a handkerchief or tissue while sneezing or coughing. You can also sneeze or cough into your sleeve at the bent elbow,then dispose of the used tissue immediately.

.(4) Maintain at least one & half metres (5 feet) distance between you apnd anyone who is coughing or sneezing.

(5) Regularly and thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water, and use alcohol-based hand sanitiser.

(6) People coughing persistently or sneezing should stay indoors or keep a social distance, but not mix with a crowd.

(7) Stay indoors if you feel unwell with symptoms, such as fever, cough and difficulty in breathing. Please call Lagos State. Emergency hotlines 08023169485 or 08033565529 or 08052817243 which are available day and night.

Emergency hotlines 08023169485 or 08033565529 or 08052817243 which are available day and night.

(8). Stay informed on the latest developments about COVID-19 through official channels on TV and Radio, the Social Media, including the Lagos State Ministry of Health, NCDC and Federal Ministry of Health.

***This message is from all of us @Daranetwork TV.com with support from the Lagos state Ministry of health

Thank you

BREAKING NEWS! FIRST CASE OF CORONA VIRUS ENTERS LAGOS STATE THROUGH AN ITALIAN CITIZEN.

28 /02 /20

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DANIELS G.O

PRESS RELEASE

The Ministry of Health in Lagos State has confirmed its first case of COVID-19 and reported it to the Federal Ministry of Health. The case, which was confirmed on the 27th of February 2020, is the first case to be reported in Nigeria since the outbreak in China in January 2020.

The case is an Italian citizen who entered Nigeria on the 25th of Feburary from Milan, Italy for a brief business visit. He fell ill on the 26th February and was transfered to Lagos State Biosecurity Facilities for isolation and testing. COVID-19 infection was confirmed by the Virology Laboratory of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, part of the Laboratory Network of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control. The patient is clinically stable, with no serious symptoms, and is being managed at the Infectious Disease Hospital in Yaba, Lagos.

The Government of Lagos State under the Governor as the COVID-19 Incident Commander, through the the Lagos State Ministry of Health, has been strengthening measures to ensure that any outbreak in Lagos is controlled and contained quickly in collaboration with the multi-sectoral Coronavirus Preparedness Group, led by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). We have immediately activated the State Emergency Operations Centre to respond to this case and implement firm control measures.

I wish to assure all Lagosians and Nigerians that we have been strengthening our preparedness since the first confirmation of cases in China. We will use all the resources made available by the State and the Federal Government to respond to this case.

We are working to identify all the contacts of the patient, since he arrived in Nigeria. Please, be reminded that most people who become infected may experience only a mild illness and recover easily, but it can be more severe in others, particularly the elderly and persons with other underlying chronic illnesses. All Lagosians should take care of their health and maintain hand and respiratory hygiene to protect themselves and others, including their own families, following the precautions below:

1. Regularly and thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water, and use alcohol-based hand sanitiser.
2. Maintain at least 1 & half metres (5 feet) distance between you and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
3. People coughing persistently or sneezing should stay indoors or keep a social distance, but not mix with a crowd.
4. Ensure that you and people around you follow good respiratory hygiene by covering mouths and noses with a handkerchief or tissue while sneezing or coughing. You can also sneeze or cough into your sleeve at the bent elbow.Then dispose of the used tissue immediately.
5. Stay indoors if you feel unwell with symptoms, such as fever, cough and difficulty in breathing. Please call Lagos State Emergency hotlines 08023169485 or 08033565529 or 08052817243 which are available day and night.
6. Stay informed on the latest developments about COVID-19 through official channels on TV and Radio, the Social Media, including the Lagos State Ministry of Health, NCDC and Federal Ministry of Health.

Citizens must not abuse social media and indulge in spreading misinformation that causes fear and panic. The Lagos State Ministry of Health, in collaboration with Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, will continue to provide updates and will initiate all measures required to prevent the spread of any outbreak in Lagos.

Prof Akin Abayomi
Commissioner for Health
Lagos State.
For Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu.

LAGOS STATE POLICE ARREST NOTORIOUS CULT LEADER AND OTHERS…

28/02/29

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PUBLISHER: DANIELS G.O

THE LAGOS POLICE COMMAND HAS REAFFIRMED IT’S COMMITMENT TO SECURITY OF LIVES AND PROPERTY IN THE STATE.

THE POLICE FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER BALA ELKANA GAVE THE ASSURANCE DURING A CHAT WITH MEDIA MEN ON THEIR LATEST ARREST.

AMONGST THE GROUPS ARRESTED ARE THE LEADER OF A NOTORIOUS CULT GROUP CALLED BERRY BOYS BASED AT ITERE,OPERATORS OF ONE CHANCE, A FAKE POLICE OFFICER AND ANOTHER SYNDICATE SPECIALIZED IN ROBBINS TRADERS.

***PLS CLICK THE LINK FOR MORE

NOTE FROM REDDINGTON HOSPITAL LAGOS OVER SUSPECTED CORONA VIRUS PATIENT

28/02/20

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PUBLISHER :DANIELS D.G

PRESS RELEASE

It has come to the attention of the management of the Reddington hospital that rumours are circulating on social media of a case of coronavirus (COVID-19) at the Reddington hospital Ikeja. We would like to assure the public that there has been NO confirmed case of coronavirus at ANY of the branches of the Reddington hospital as at today 27 February 2020.

In the early hours of Wednesday 26 February 2020, a Chinese national presented to Reddington Hospital, Ikeja complaining of fever.

Following standard protocol it was ascertained that he had arrived in Nigeria from China seven weeks ago and had not been in contact with anyone else who might have coronavirus.

As a precautionary measure, staff immediately isolated him in accordance with the hospital’s standard operating procedure for potential coronavirus patients and the state public health authorities were promptly informed and involved.

Despite the risk being assessed to be relatively low according to the currently available science regarding incubation period, blood samples were taken using full prescribed precautions and sent to the Lagos State authorised virology laboratory for analysis and diagnosis.

The results of the tests made available Tested Negetive .

The Reddington team acted in a highly professional manner and in absolute compliance with international standards. We thank all staff for their diligence and professionalism in dealing with this case

Signed
Dr Olutunde Lalude
Group Medical Director
Reddington Hospital Group

SUSPECTED CORONA VIRUS CHINESE PATIENT AT A HEALTH FACILITY IN LAGOS TEST NEGATVE … LASG

27/02/20

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DANIELS G.O

PRESS RELEASE

The Lagos State Government says the Chinese citizen who presented at the Reddington Hospital, Ikeja Lagos and suspected to have Corona virus has tested negative to the infection.

Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi who made this known through a press statement wednesday 26th of February 2020 noted that the likelyhood of COVID-19 infection in this particular patient was very low and the conclusion of investigations and sophisticated testing confirms that there is no case of Corona Virus in Lagos State as of now.

“I would like to reassure Lagosians that our vigilance levels are very high and we are putting more measures in place to safe guard the State”, he said.

While giving details of the investigation, Abayomi explained that the Ministry of Health’s attention was drawn to a suspected case of Corona Virus at Reddington Hospital; a private health facility located at Ikeja.

“From our investigation, we gathered that a Chinese citizen who arrived in Nigeria from China 7 weeks ago presented at Reddington Hospital yesterday complaining about fever. The hospital in keeping with the advisory we earlier issued, correctly maintained a high index of suspicion, isolated the patient and reported the case to the Ministry”

“We took up the case, transferred the patient to the State Isolation Unit at the Mainland hospital which is our specialised infectious disease hospital. His blood samples were taken to the Virology laboratory for analysis and it came out negative”, the Commissioner said.

Abayomi appealed to citizens to refrain from posting unverified news that can cause unnecessary anxiety in community.

He urged citizens to disregard any information about the novel Coronavirus that does not emanate from official communication channels of the Ministry of Health or his office.

Signed

Tunbosun Ogunbanwo
Director, Public Affairs
27th February, 2020