Maintain hand, respiratory hygiene, Govt warns as Lagos records first case Coronavirus

Lagos – The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, on Friday, confirmed the first case of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) outbreak in Lagos, saying it was brought in by an Italian citizen this came as he warned that Lagosians should take care of their health and maintain hand and respiratory hygiene to protect themselves and others, including their own families.

Abayomi advised citizens to wash their hands regularly and thoroughly with soap and water, and use alcohol-based hand sanitiser.

Maintain at least one and a half metres (five 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.

Please call NCDC toll free number, which is available day and night, for guidance: 0800 970 0000-0010

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Abayomi advised Nigerians to call Lagos State Emergency hotlines 08023169485 or 08033565529 or 08052817243 which are available day and night.

Abayomi, however, said the State Emergency Operations Centre in response to the case and implementing firm control measures has been activated.

He said  the case was brought in by an Italian citizen who entered Nigeria on Feb. 25 from Milan, Italy for a brief business visit.

The commissioner said that the case was confirmed on Feb. 27, and has been reported to the Federal Ministry of Health.

Abayomi said that the patient fell ill on Feb.26, 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 (LUTH), 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,” Abayomi said.

The commissioner said that the state has been strengthening measures to ensure that any outbreak in Lagos was controlled and contained quickly.

He said that the state government was doing this in collaboration with the multi-sectoral Coronavirus Preparedness Group led by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

The commissioner reassured residents and Nigerians that it has been strengthening its preparedness since the first confirmation of cases in China.

“We will use all the resources made available by the State and the Federal Governments 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,” he said.

Abayomi advised citizens to wash their hands regularly and thoroughly with soap and water, and use alcohol-based hand sanitiser.

“Maintain at least one and a half metres (five 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,” he said.

Abayomi advised that people that feel unwell with symptoms, such as fever, cough and difficulty in breathing should stay indoor.

He advised them to call Lagos State Emergency hotlines 08023169485 or 08033565529 or 08052817243 which are available day and night.

The commissioner advised citizens to stay informed on the latest developments about COVID-19 through official channels on television, radio, the Social Media, including the state Ministry of Health, NCDC and Federal Ministry of Health.

“Citizens must not abuse social media and indulge in spreading misinformation that can cause fear and panic,” he said.

Abayomi said that the state, in collaboration with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, would continue to provide updates and initiate all measures required to prevent the spread of any outbreak in Lagos.

Also the Federal Government confirmed the first case of the new Coronavirus disease (COVID-19 in Lagos State.

The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, confirmed the development in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

Ehanire said the case,  which was confirmed on Feb. 27, was the first case to be reported in Nigeria since the beginning of the outbreak in China in January 2020.

The minister assured that the Government of Nigeria, through the Federal Ministry of Health, had been strengthening measures to ensure an outbreak in Nigeria is controlled and contained quickly.

The multi-sectoral Coronavirus Preparedness Group led by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has immediately activated its National Emergency Operations Centre.

He said NCDC would work closely with Lagos State Health authorities to respond to this case and implement firm control measures.

“I wish to assure all Nigerians that have we have been beefing up our preparedness capabilities since the first confirmation of cases in China, and we will use all the resources made available by the government to respond to this case.

“We have already started working to identify all the contacts of the patient, since he entered Nigeria.

“Please be reminded that most people who become infected may experience only mild illness and recover easily, but it can be more severe in others, particularly the elderly and persons with other underlying chronic illnesses,” the minister said.

Ehanire further advised all Nigerians to take care of their health and maintain hand and respiratory hygiene to protect themselves and others, including their own families, following the precautions below:

“Regularly and thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water, and use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

“Maintain at least 1.5 metres (5 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.

“Persons with persistent cough or sneezing should stay home or keep a social distance but not mix in crowd.

“Make sure you and people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene, meaning cover your mouth and nose with a handkerchief or tissue or into your sleeve at the bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately.

“Stay home if you feel unwell with symptoms like fever, cough and difficulty in breathing,’’ he urged.

“Please call NCDC toll free number, which is available day and night, for guidance: 0800 970 0000-0010.

“Stay informed on the latest developments about COVlD-l9 through official channels on TV and Radio, including the Lagos State Ministry of Health, NCDC and Federal Ministry of Health.”

He further urged citizens not to abuse social media and indulge in spreading misinformation that causes fear and panic.

“The Federal Ministry of Health through NCDC will continue to provide updates and will initiate all measures required to prevent the spread of any outbreak in Nigeria.

This is the third reported case of COVID-19 in Africa afte Egypt and Algeria.