Lagos state records first Coronavirus in Nigeria.|Flycomnews

By Fashina Shakiru
Flycomnews

Lagos state Commissioner for Health Prof Akin Abayomi  has confirmed its first case of coronavirus in Lagos state.

 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 commissioner for health, says "the case is an Italian citizen who entered Nigeria on the 25th of February 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.

He confirmed the patient is clinically stable, with no serious symptoms, and is being managed at the Infectious Disease Hospital in Yaba, Lagos. 

Prof, Abayomi assured that there  has been strengthening measures to ensure 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).

According to him, "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", Abayomi said.

He added," we have immediately activated the State Emergency Operations Centre to respond to this case and implement firm control measures".

He advised, Lagosians should take care of their health and maintain hand and respiratory hygiene to protect themselves and others, including their own families.