• As Govt reemphasises need to obey prevention protocols
The Lagos State Government has on Friday confirmed six positive COVID-19 cases in a boarding secondary school on the mainland.
A member of the school’s staff was confirmed positive for COVID-19 on the 2nd of November. Contact tracing has revealed that a student and four contacts of the staff member are positive for COVID-19.
According to the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, the staff member fell ill for a few days and received first aid at the school clinic. She subsequently tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday 2nd of November at the Lagos State Biobank.
The Lagos State COVID-19 Incident Command System through the Emergency Operation Centre is investigating the incident, and “we would like to assure members of the public and stakeholders of the school that the situation is completely under control,” Abayomi noted.
According to him, steps are being taken to contain the spread within the school and reduce exposure to the outside community. “All parents are being contacted first through the PTA and a family zoom call is being arranged to further allay their fears.”
It is important to note that COVID-19 presents with very mild symptoms in children and teenagers, compared to other age groups. However, there is the risk of infected children transmitting the disease to adults who they interact with daily, and who may be at higher risk of severe disease and death.
The commissioner hinted that the school authorities, supported by Lagos State Ministry of Health (LSMOH), Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the Ministry of Education, are following the COVID-19 guidelines as set out by the government.
He added that students who test positive are to be isolated in the school premises and, if unwell, will be admitted in one of the accredited isolation centers in Lagos.
“Students are discouraged from going home to avoid infecting members of their families,” he advised.
While revealing that the Ministry of Health and NCDC are working closely with the Ministry of Education through a joint approach to manage the outbreak in this school, Abayomi hinted that most of the infected persons are predominantly asymptomatic while some have mild symptoms.
His words, “Members of the Emergency Operation Center Lagos, NCDC and our counterparts in the Ministry of Education have been deployed in the school to provide strategic interventions and support.
“These include psychosocial support, infection prevention control, medical monitoring and risk communication experts to further enlighten affected people.”
He warned, “COVID-19 is still very much with us and we must strive to prioritize the safety of all, including students and teachers, by adhering strictly to prevention protocols and guidelines issued by the government to prevent its spread.”
The commissioner, therefore, implored Lagosians to observe and practise highest standards of personal and environmental hygiene.
“Using face masks in public places, hand washing and hands hygiene practice, and maintaining physical distancing will help prevent the spread of the infection,” he reemphasized.
Citizens aired urged to call the 08000EKOMED or 08000356633 toll free line if they notice any sign or symptoms of COVID-19, which include fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue or loss of taste or smell.
