The First Case of coronavirus has been confirmed in Lagos State of Nigeria.
Ministry of Health in Lagos State has confirmed its first case of COVID-19 and reported it to the Federal Ministry of Health.
However, 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.
According to Channel Tv, the Ministry of Health has confirmed this.
Nevertheless, the case is confirmed on an Italian citizen who entered Nigeria on the 25th of Feburary from Milan, Italy. The Italian came for a brief business visit.
However, he fell ill on the 26th February and was transfered to Lagos State Biosecurity Facilities for isolation and testing.
Meanwhile, the patient is clinically stable, with no serious symptoms. He is being managed at the Infectious Disease Hospital in Yaba, Lagos.
“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 coronavirus 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.
They are advised to follow the precautions below:
●Regularly and thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water, and use alcohol-based hand sanitiser.
●Maintain at least 1 & half metres (5 feet) distance between you and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
●People coughing persistently or sneezing should stay indoors or keep a social distance, but not mix with a crowd.
●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.
●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.
●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
