Any malaria-like symptom should now be considered and treated as Covid-19 until proven otherwise.
According to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, such symptoms should be considered Covid-19 virus infections unless proven otherwise.
The governor briefed newsmen at the State House, Ikeja on COVID-19 update in the state.
According to him, in this second wave of the current pandemic, any malaria-like symptoms should be considered as COVID-19 virus infection unless and until otherwise proven.
Any affected individual with COVID-like symptoms should proceed to any of our public health facilities and/or laboratories to get tested for free,” he said.
The governor also said it was important that people did not stigmatise or discriminate against anyone affected by the virus, as it is not a death sentence.
“Seeking help early and quickly significantly improves the chances of survival for severe to critical cases. Wear a mask everywhere and ensure that you wash your re-usable mask regularly and also properly dispose of used disposable masks,” he said.
The governor disclosed that as at 17 January, 2021, Lagos has recorded 41,374 confirmed cases of COVID-19 out of which 28,452 had recovered and were within community, while 9,213 were currently active in community.
“Over the last 12 months, about 3,776 COVID-19-related patients have been admitted into our various care centres, with a registered fatality rate of approximately 0.67 percent (277 cases.
“So far, 263,358 tests have been conducted between our public and private laboratories, with 41,374 diagnosed as positive. This has allowed us the opportunity to target our interventions with precision and ensure the efficient use and mobilisation of resources,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu also disclosed that the increase in the positivity of cases has necessitated the provision of greater amounts of concentrated oxygen for the moderate to severe cases on admission in isolation centres.
The governor stated that over the last few weeks, the demand for oxygen has risen from 70 6-litre cylinder per day to 350 6-litre cylinders in Yaba Mainland Hospital.
“This is projected to more than double to 750 6-litre cylinders, before the end of January 2021. In addition to providing oxygen at our isolation centres, the Lagos State Government has decentralised the availability of oxygen across the state through the provision of 10 oxygen and sampling kiosks.
“Oxygen therapy and other related services will be provided to patients that required them. Five of these 10 centres have been commissioned while the remaining five will be ready for use within the next four weeks,” he said.

MR. GOVERNOR’S CORONAVIRUS PRESS BRIEFING, JANUARY 19, 2021

Dear Lagosians,
Let me start by again wishing you all a Happy New Year.
This is the first time I will be addressing you on the Coronavirus pandemic in the new year. Sadly, the focus of this address is on the second wave of COVID-19 that we are dealing with, which is turning out to be far more serious than the first Wave.
I want you to please pay full attention to everything I am about to say. We can flatten the curve and defeat this virus, but only if we take seriously the advice and guidelines being issued by the authorities, regarding prevention, treatment and general behavior in this difficult period.

Epidemiology Update
Let me start with the numbers. As you are all aware, Lagos State remains the national epicenter of the disease. As of the 17th of January 2021, Lagos had recorded a total of 41,374 confirmed cases of COVID-19. Of this number, 28,452 have recovered and are within community while 9,213 are currently active in community. Over the last 12 months, about 3,776 COVID-related patients have been admitted into our various care centres; with a registered fatality rate of approximately 0.67% (277 cases).

Testing Strategy
One of the greatest hallmarks of the Lagos State Response has been the State’s robust Testing Strategy. In addition to the 4 public laboratories providing free testing under the public health response, the State has increased the number of private providers under its Private Laboratory Consortium to 20 Private Laboratories, providing services to both our inbound and outbound international travelers, work-related activities or anyone that is curious about their COVID-19 status. The formation of the Consortium has significantly increased our testing capacity with the State conducting between 2,000 and 3,000 tests per day.
So far, a total of 263,358 tests have been conducted between our public and private laboratories, with 41,374 diagnosed as positive. This has allowed us the opportunity to target our interventions with precision and ensure the efficient use and mobilisation of resources. It is important to clarify, once again, that those that fall within the case definition—that is, have symptoms, such as fever, cough, cold, inability to smell or taste, headaches or general body weakness—or those who come into close contact with anyone with any of these symptoms are eligible for free testing at any of our public laboratories.

Isolation Strategy
Lagos State recorded a steady reduction in the number of confirmed cases of the virus from July to November 2020. This led the State to deploy a lean operational strategy by shutting down some of its isolation centres.
However, over the course of the festive season, there was an exponential surge in laboratory confirmed cases of the virus. The positivity rate skyrocketed from 3% on the 1st of December 2020 to 31% on the 31st of December 2020.
Expectedly, there has been a rapid increase in capacity utilization of beds at the isolation and treatment centres, which has resulted in a significant increase in bed occupancy from 4% to 69% over the last six weeks.
This alarming trend has necessitated plans to reopen some of the previously established isolation centres, such as the INDO Isolation Centre and Gbagada Cardio-Renal Centre. It is our hope that this would support our efforts toward containing rising cases and re-flattening the curve in the shortest possible time.

Oxygen Strategy
The increase in the positivity of cases has necessitated the provision of greater amounts of concentrated oxygen for the moderate to severe cases on admission in our isolation centres.
Over the last few weeks, the demand for oxygen has risen from 70 6-litre cylinder per day to 350 6-litre cylinders in our Yaba Mainland Hospital. This is projected to more than double to 750 6-litre cylinders, before the end of January 2021.
In addition to providing oxygen at our isolation centres, the Lagos State Government has decentralized the availability of oxygen across the State through the provision of 10 oxygen and sampling kiosks. Oxygen therapy and other related services will be provided to patients that require them. Five of these 10 centers have been commissioned while the remaining five will be ready for use within the next four weeks. It is our expectation that these sampling kiosks would be easily accessible to residents that require oxygen therapy at the level of LGAs as stabilization points prior to onward transmission to our Isolation centres, if required.
This strategy is to further increase the fighting chance of Lagos residents that have contracted the virus and require immediate oxygen therapy.
As a result of the increasing demand for oxygen, the Lagos State Government also commissioned an Oxygen Plant at the Yaba Mainland Hospital to mitigate the projected need.

Vaccines
We are closely monitoring ongoing action by the Federal Government to procure COVID-19 vaccines for use in Nigeria. We have also opened discussions with vaccine manufacturers so that when the vaccine comes eventually we can ensure that Lagosians are catered for. In the meantime we are developing a strategy that will articulate the criteria, guidelines and regulatory framework for providing and monitoring vaccinations in Lagos.

Private Sector Collaboration (Isolation Centres and Labs)
The Lagos State Government is actively partnering with the private sector in the management of the COVID-19 pandemic, in the areas of testing, oxygen deployment, as well as the clinical management of moderate to severe cases. These partnerships have helped enhance the State’s response to the ever-changing circumstances of the pandemic.
In a bid to further explore this proven synergistic approach, the Lagos State Government is currently reviewing the feasibility of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) for the management of some of our public isolation centres. It is our hope that this would expedite the re-opening of previously closed centres, and also avail us the benefits of the operational cost-efficiencies that experienced private sector management can bring to bear.

Home-Based Care Strategy
For those that may be asymptomatic or have mild symptoms that do not require admission into our isolation centres, our telemedicine service, EKOTELEMED, has been deployed to assist in the management of residents in the comfort of their homes.
Available to reach on their toll-free line, 08000EKOMED (08000356633), the telemedicine service is manned by professional medical personnel to help nurse infected individuals back to health. They also have the ability to assess the severity of patients’ conditions and facilitate the evacuation of worsening cases, if need be.
In addition, they also assist in facilitating the delivery of the Lagos State COVID-19 care packs which contain items that can support affected residents. 4,873 cases have so far been managed successfully by our Lagos-State-Government-owned EKOTELEMED platform. I enjoin Lagosians to take advantage of this service.

Travel Protocols
According to the provisional quarantine protocol, all intending passengers must test negative by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) from any country of exit within 72 hours prior to boarding. All inbound travellers are also required to register via the Nigeria International Travel Portal (NITP) website (http://nitp.ncdc.gov.ng). Passengers must then fill an online Health Declaration/Self-Reporting Form located on the NITP, which must be submitted online and printed for verification on arrival at the airport.
Passengers must also show evidence of payment/appointment for a repeat PCR test, following which they will be cleared through the Nigeria Immigration System’s Migrants Identification Data Analysis System (MIDAS). Passengers’ biodata page will also be forwarded to all COVID-19 PCR sample collection centres to enable proper identification before sample collection.
Passengers must then proceed on a 7-day self-isolation, and be present at the designated centre on the 7th day of arrival. Passengers who test negative after 7 days will end self-isolation on the 8th or 9th day, while positive cases will be managed based on National Guidelines for COVID-19 treatment, or through our EKOTELEMED Service for passengers residing in Lagos.
In line with the approval obtained from the Federal Government, the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, through the Immigration Service, will deactivate passports of citizens who default in presenting themselves for the PCR test. It is, therefore, in the best interest of residents to provide the correct contact details when registering online, to facilitate effective and timely communication, tracking and tracing.
If you are in Lagos State and wish to rebook your test or get your sample collected, kindly contact the Lagos State Biobank via email on info@lagosstatebiobank.com or our logistics arm on cbldirect@gmail.com. Any passenger who has his/her passport deactivated would still have to fulfil all safety protocols before their passport can be reactivated.

Schools
As you are aware, all schools in the State have been directed to open in compliance with the directives of the Federal Government, and they have commenced schooling activities on Monday, 18th of January 2021. This was a difficult decision to make in light of the second wave of covid-19, but I assure you it was the best decision for our children’s safety and long-term development especially our most vulnerable children.
The staff and management of the Ministry of Education have been monitoring compliance of both Public and Private schools with the safety policies and protocols laid out. Parents are encouraged to ensure the protocols of safety are adhered to in their homes and that they model responsible behavior to their children at all times, in and out of the home.

Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions
In this second wave of the current pandemic, any malaria-like symptoms should be considered as COVID-19 virus infection unless and until otherwise proven. Any affected individual with COVID-like symptoms should proceed to any of our public health facilities and/or laboratories to get tested for free.
It is also important that we do not stigmatize or discriminate against anyone affected by this virus. Albeit highly contagious, the virus is not a death sentence, in most cases. Seeking help early and quickly significantly improves the chances of survival for severe to critical cases.
It is important that Lagos State residents begin to learn to live and act responsibly, in order to augment our efforts and previous success of flattening the curve. All residents must thus:
Wear a mask everywhere.
Ensure that you wash your re-usable mask regularly, and also properly dispose of used disposable masks.
If you operate an office or business, insist on the wearing of masks before customers or clients can be granted access or rendered service.
Follow social distancing guidelines.
Avoid mass gatherings or adhere to published guidelines for congregations.
Practice regular hand hygiene.
If you feel any symptoms that correspond to the outlined symptoms of COVID-19, get tested. Testing is FREE for symptomatic patients in Lagos State, through our network of public testing facilities.
If positive, self-isolate or report to any Isolation Centre and follow-up clinics.
The Lagos State Government will deploy effective messaging and education while rigorously enforcing all guidelines through the respective State agencies. We will continue to clamp down on all persons and organisations who flout the protocols and guidelines we have established.
So far, a total of 556 people have been arrested for breaching the Covid-19 Regulations, 502 prosecuted and convicted to date while 35 clubs and event centers have been sealed. The Safety Commission and Lagos State Task Force will continue to carry out enforcement across the State and will not hesitate to bring errant defaulters to book.
All Places of Worship are advised to register on the Lagos State Safety Registration Portal, and to visit the Portal regularly for updates on our Safety Protocols and conditions for operating. Similarly, all Hospitality Businesses, Restaurants, Hotels, Event Centers, and related entities should register on the Site, and follow all guidelines. In the meantime, and until further notice, all Night Clubs in Lagos State must remain closed.
The responsibility of fighting and defeating this Virus belongs to each and every one of us, and we must take this responsibility very seriously.
Thank you.

Babajide Sanwo-Olu
Governor of Lagos State
19 January 2021