Lagos state has recorded a first confirmed case of Coronavirus (covid-19) in Nigeria.
Lagos state ministry of health has confirmed its first case since the out break of the epidemic in China.
The state Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi in a statement released on the 27th of February.
He said that the first case was confirmed on the 27th of February 2020 on an Italian who visited Nigeria on the 25th for a business trip.
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.
His statement reads ;
”The Government of Lagos State under the Governor as the COVID-19 Incident Commander, through the the Lagos State Ministry of Health, has been strengthening measures to ensure that 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).
We have immediately activated the State Emergency Operations Centre to respond to this case and implement firm control measures”
The Commissioner assured all Lagosians and Nigerians that the state has been strengthening its preparedness since the first confirmation of cases in China and vowed that the state will use all its resources made available to respond to this case.
He added that efforts are been made to identify all the contacts of the patient, since he arrived in Nigeria.
According to the statement, most people who become infected with the virus, 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.
The Commssioner advised all residents of the state to take care of their health and maintain hand and respiratory hygiene to protect themselves and others, including their own families.