Lagos Commissioner of Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi has announced that a sizeable number of young people are testing positive for COVID-19 in the state.
He also disclosed that the state has amplified its testing capacity to 3,000 people per day.
This is just as he says the state is experiencing lesser COVID-19-related deaths, even as the infection rate continues to rise.
Speaking via a live radio programme, the commissioner stressed that the reason for the reduced fatalities to the knowledge acquired so far in the management of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are experiencing lesser deaths with the second wave, in spite of the increased cases and that was because of our better understanding of managing the disease.’
‘But we are also seeing more of the younger age group getting infected by the second wave of COVID-19, as compared to the first wave,” he said.
The commissioner said that he was not really surprised by the new twist to the infection as a larger percentage of the younger age groups are known to flout the stipulated COVID-19 protocols.
He warned Lagos residents to stop flouting the rules and shun activities that could compel the government to reintroduce another lockdown.
“Lagosians should be calm. We don’t want a lockdown. The state government has released guidelines that will enable us to live safely, so, Lagosians have to play their part so we don’t get to the point of a lockdown.
“As the government is trying hard to contain the situation, Lagosians must play their part. Use your face mask, wash your hands, maintain social distancing, and if you feel unwell, self-isolate and test for COVID-19 first instead of taking malaria drugs,” he warned.
On what the current testing capacity of Lagos looks like, the commissioner announced that the state health officials have ramped up their activities up to about 3,000 tests each day.
He further urged the people not to let down their guard, adding that the war against COVID-19 can be won collectively if people look out for one another.
“The state government has amplified her testing strategies. We are testing more. We are testing between 2000-3000 people per day and it is increasing’
“As long as your breathing is not compromised, Lagosians can double-mask so as to protect the next person beside you and reduce the aerosol you are exposed to. However, for medical professionals, the N95 mask does the job” he said.
