Lagos confirmed first case of coronavirus
Akin Olayemi
The Lagos State Ministry of Health at the early hours of Friday has confirmed the first case of the deadly Coronavirus in the state.
The case which was confirmed on the 27th of February was made known through a statement by the State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi and reported to the the Federal Ministry of Health.
According to the statement, the patient, an Italian citizen came into the country from Milan, Italy for a brief business visit on the 25th of February.
It reads, “The Italian who was on a business visit to Lagos, Nigeria fell ill on the 26th February and was transferred 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 Lagos State Government through its Ministry of Health, however, assured all Lagosians of efforts to contained the virus as it said it has activated the State Emergency Operations Centre to respond to this case and implement firm control measures.
It added, “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.”
The commissioner, however, advised on precautionary steps to be taken against the infectious which include:
• Regularly and thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water, and use alcohol-based hand sanitiser.
• Maintenance of at least one and half metres (5 feet) distance between oneself and anyone with cough or sneezing.
• People coughing persistently or sneezing should stay indoors or keep a social distance, but not mix with a crowd.
• Ensure the 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.
• 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.
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