The Lagos State Government, the epicentre of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Nigeria on Friday discharged four more COVID-19 patients after they tested negative twice, bringing the total number of the discharged from the State to 24.
Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi confirmed the new figure to journalists at the Island Maternity Hospital on Lagos Island
The State government had on Thursday discharged 11 Coronavirus patients, after having discharged nine people earlier. This bring the total number of discharged patients to 24.
Professor Abayomi appealed to Nigerians to maintain social distancing to save the state adding that severe cases may be witnessed in the State, adding that “the graph is flattening. As our numbers increase, we may see some critical cases. From the numbers we have, we don’t have many numbers like that of Europe. Social distancing is so effective. You may be infected and have mild symptoms. We have only one or two cases that are severe.”
Giving a breakdown of the cases, Professor Abayomi said: “Eti-Osa Local Government has the highest number of confirmed cases in Lagos State. 91 per cent of confirmed #COVID-19 cases in Lagos are Nigerians, nine per cent are foreigners.”
Confirming the development, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos tweeted, “More great news from our Infectious Disease Hospital as four patients – three females and one male have recovered fully, tested negative twice and have been discharged.
“This gives us a lot of hope as we continue to listen to our health experts and provide the resources to beat COVID-19.”
This is just as the Nigerian Armed Forces said it is stepping up efforts to fully implement the Presidential directives on COVID-19 through its strategic level preparation towards reinforcing the measures already on ground towards halting the virus from further spreading.
Coordinator, Defence Media Relations, Major General John Enenche, told journalists in Abuja that an additional isolation and treatment centre has been provided at the Nigerian Navy Reference Hospital, Navy Town, Ojo Lagos. This brings the number to 18 centres.
According to General Enenche, ”the training of 80 medical personnel of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to manage COVID-19 cases has since commenced. They are being trained in batches and would soon be deployed to the various units they would serve while the recalling of retired Armed Forces medical personnel is in progress.
“Currently, Nigerian Air Force is operating at full capacity, its Liquefied Oxygen (LOX) Plant at the 103 Strike Group (103 STG) at the Nigerian Air Force Base, Yola, Adamawa State. The plant is on 24 hours operation to ensure uninterrupted production of pure Liquefied Oxygen. The Liquefied Oxygen is being gasified and will be stored in cylinders for immediate supply to isolation centres and designated hospitals as will be directed.”
The Defence Spokesperson also said that the viral videos trending online showing men in uniform were not genuine, urging the general public to disregard these videos and consider it as actions of mischief makers who intended to tarnish the good image, integrity and sterling achievements of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.