Lagos covers coronavirus contact tracing in 1.5m households in 4 weeks

• Declares Mask Up Lagos

Lagos State Government has in the past four weeks of coronavirus lockdown conducted tests in 1.5 million households in the commitment to trace contacts of coronavirus carriers in the state. The government has also continued to strengthen the capacity of the state for more effective interventions, as developing health facilities to enhance the battle against the spread of coronavirus in Lagos. The state subsequently declared Mask Up Lagos, appealing to big businesses and rich individuals to assist in mass product of face mask for free distribution to residents of Lagos State to ensure everyone goes in the public with face mask.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in a state broadcast on Wednesday declared: “We are continuing our active case finding in communities across Lagos State. So far, we have covered over 1.5 million households; and we are also continuing to scale-up our Isolation and Treatment capacity.

“The Isolation Center at Gbagada opens tomorrow, and we are currently working on building three additional Isolation Centers in the state.

“Also ongoing are our relief package distribution efforts, with the kind support of private organisations and civil society groups.

“We are encouraging businesses in Lagos to commence the production of face masks, as we roll out a new campaign to Mask Up Lagos. This is an opportunity for our people, especially the youth, to display their creativity and artistic flair, and project the cultural spirit of Lagos State to the world.

Sanwo-Olu further gave update on the medical situation in the state.

The governor acknowledged that Lagos State continues to be the epicentre of #COVID19 in Nigeria, disclosing that the total number of confirmed cases in the State as at midnight April 28, 2020 was 844.

He highlighted that of the 844 confirmed positive cases, 143 persons have been treated and discharged, and on Wednesday he was making the broadcast, 49 coronavirus patients  were discharged, identifying they include 48 Nigerians and 1 Foreigner – a Greek national.  “Of these, there are 28 females and 21 males. Sadly, we have lost 19 people, and we currently have 682 active cases,” Sanwo-Olu said.

The governor reassured that frontline

medical workers will continue to be top priority for the state government at this time, “and we will continue to make available all the resources they require, in terms of Hazard Allowances, Covid Allowances, Personal Protective Equipment, psycho-social support, and others,” he added.