Coronavirus: Ejigbo,records 3 on self-isolation

By Sola Okewole, Sunday Ogundiran & Edith Igbokwe

Bad news for residents of Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Area comprising Oshodi, Isolo and
Ejigbo who still believe that the dreaded Coronavirus pandemic is not real:Echonews can
authoritatively reveal that no fewer than three persons at risk of having the disease are currently
on self-isolation in Ejigbo.

The Medical Officer for Ejigbo LCDA and a member of the committee set up to mobilise the
populace to combat COVID 19, Dr. Wale Agosu, disclosed to Echonews as part of efforts to
sensitise the public to take the directives of the Lagos State and the local governments seriously
to check the transmission of the disease.

As part of the committee set up last week in Ejigbo LCDA to monitor and to stop covid-19 from
the community.

He said the cases were not people tested positive but people who returned from abroad, and
none has exhibited symptoms of COVID 19 so far.

The MOH explained:"We have three cases that are on self-Isolation in Ejigbo.They are not
confirmed cases but are returnees from the highly burdened countries.So far, they have not had
any symptoms of Covid-19, and they are been monitored daily and report is being forwarded to
the state.

Meanwhile the race for protection from COVID 19 has made sanitizers the must-have
household item and led to spikes in its prices

The cost of hand sanitizers in the market rose from 50 naira last year to prices ranging from
N500, N1,000, N2,000 and even N3,000 depending on the size.

Mr. Gbade Ojo, a pharmacist in Jakande area raised alarm that thermometers and sanitisers
were becoming scarce on the shelves warning that this may lead to the sale of fake sanitizers.
“We have even had report that some of the hand sanitisers being hawked around are fake.
.
Priced out of the reach of the poor, less fortunate citizens are calling on the government and
public spirited individuals to make it available out of compassion.

Community members suggested that the government should make sanitizers available via the
primary healthcare centres in all the local government for people to pick up and hence force the
hiked prices to be brought down.

While some implored the government to liaise with sanitizers' company to produce at
government subsidized price of N200 so that every home can have it in addition to sharing hand
bills.

However, community members appreciated the government's quick response and measures put in place to prevent Coronavirus. These included the sensitisation programmes organised for the
community development associations by the local authorties.

According to Echonews investigations, so far, banks led other businesses in complying with the
government’s directives on social distancing and raising awareness among customers.
At the UBA branch in Ejigbo, security details at the entrance began to enforce social distancing
mid-week ensuring that the banking hall was not crowded.

Mr.Benson Alex, a security personel enforcing the directives at Oshodi branch of Zenith Bank
Plc explained that the bank is implementing measures such as checking the body temperature
of customers before they enter the banking hall.

His words:"Over 200 customers have tested negative but to make all our customers rest
assured that the bank is ready to battle Covid-19, these measures will be taken on a daily
bases for the safety of our business transactions as we've been told that people can contact the
disease through money being deposited by an infected person.

"If a customer is infected,his/her temperature rises to 40% but if not it reduces below 40%.
Following a meeting between Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu and the private sector leaders
which resolved among others not to shut food outlets, it was noticed that eateries began to
implement their social distancing measures by removing the chairs in their premises so
customers could only buy in take-away packs.

Thé Chicken Republic eatery around Osolo way took a step further: it gave out hand gloves to
customers. Similarly, the management of Justrite Stores gave more than 20 Cormart sanitisers a day for customers before any patronage.

Market women leaders also carried out the directives of the government despite initial protests
from members over how to guarantee their survival following market shut down.

Aswani Faronbi was shut down Tuesday 24th 2020, after the last popular market day.
Alhaja Sherifat Faronbi Olalekan, the Iyaloja of Aswani Faronbi market while speaking with
Echonews on their compliance to the order by Lagos state governor said she had to use her fiat
when traders initially refused to close down.

"But they have no choice as that is the order from the state level to maintain safety and hygiene
health by helping to fumigate our market against the wide spread of the deadly diseases.

Speaking on when to open,Alhaja Sherifat told Echonews that until further notice as they are not
the the only affected market in Lagos State and in the local government area.
Also shut down are Obada market in Isolo, Anuoluwapo plank and building materials market
around Jakande and Oba Morufu market in Ejigbo.