By Our Reporters
The three persons on self-isolation to discover if infected by the COVID-19 virus in Ejigbo are hale and hearty. None has shown any symptoms of the virus.
This was confirmed by the Medical Officer for Health of Ejigbo Local Council Development Area and a member of the 23- member Epidemic Preparedness Response Committee (EPRC), Dr. Wale Agosu.
In an exclusive report in ECHONEWS last edition, we reported that the EPRC had identified three persons who arrived from high risk countries and immediately began the mandatory 14-day self-isolation process.
However, giving an update over the weekend, the MOH disclosed that none of them has shown or reported any symptom of the pandemic after the 14-day mandatory self-isolation.
The EPRC is chaired by the LCDA chairman, Hon. Monsuru Bello Obe and includes his vice chairman, Dr. Tunde Olusunmade, MOH, Dr. Wale Agosu, Information Officer, Mr. Lanre Adekunle, Mrs. Famewo, Mr. Samuel Owoleke, Pharmacist Aderibigbe, CSP Olabisi Okuwobi, Apex Nurse Ogunseye, Environment Health Officer, Mrs. Adedipe, CDC Chairman, Prince Jelili Atiku, chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, Rev. Stephen Oyinlola and the Chief Imam, Imam Mukhail Sanni.
He made the disclosure as the council doubled efforts to enforce the presidential restriction directing citizens of Lagos State to stay at home.
According to sources, the Ejigbo Local Council Development Area chairman, Hon. Monsuru Bello Obe and the Divisional Police Officer, CSP Olubisi Okuwobi combed the night clubs in the area throughout the week ordering their closure and getting the fun seekers out.
The monitoring continued during the day as they ensured that shops and markets were closed.
However, police sources at the division said the officer could no longer cope when residents trooped out in the evening into the streets citing the failure of electricity supply.
The council administration also distributed sanitisers and face masks to residents in a bid to encourage them to maintain social distancing in daily transactions.
In line with the promise of Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to provide food to 200,000 residents in the first phase of efforts to alleviate the inconvenience of staying at home, Ejigbo also received a truck of supplies last week.
The food supplies were distributed to the community development associations for delivery to the poorest of the poor in the neighbourhoods.
In Isolo, full enforcement of stay at home began last week with the closure of churches and mosques where worshippers attempted to defy the restriction.
Divisional Police Officer for Aswani, CSP Oyin Francess confirmed to ECHONEWS that the police division in Isolo LCDA has resolved to maintain zero tolerance for any violation of the presidential restriction order
Her words: “We will strictly ensure that they do not also flout the directive as regards social gathering and other precautionary measures as given by the government. The residents need to abide by this directive. No party, no club, no joint, no church; we shall continue to ensure compliance.”
The chairman of Isolo LCDA, Hon. Shamsudeen Olaleye chairs the EPRC. Other members are the Council Treasurer, Mrs. Bimbola Aguda-Okoro, Secretary to the Local Government, Hon. Emmanuel Olojede, HOD, Environment, Mrs. Lamidi Oluwakemi, MOH, Nojim Yesufu, LSNC Commander, Yinusa Adeoye and DSMO, Mr. C. Olaposi.
The LCDA chairman distributed 3,500 sanitizers and packets of soap to residents across the council area throughout the week while mounting a campaign with the community development associations to encourage residents to stay home to check the transmission of the virus.
In Oshodi, the commercial city was quiet and deserted last week as markets closed and traders stayed home.
It is believed that the efforts of local governments and LCDAs at the local government area to enforce stay-at-home order and the publicity given to updates of developments on the war against the virus have been responsible for the low incidence recorded in Lagos State.
As at the time of filing this report on Sunday, the total number of COVID-19 cases in Lagos State was 109 according to the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC).
“As at 10:10 pm 4th April there are 214 confirmed cases of #COVID19 reported in Nigeria. Twenty-five have been discharged with four deaths,” the Center stated
The breakdown is as follows: Lagos- 109; FCT- 43; Osun- 20; Oyo- 9; Akwa Ibom- 5; Ogun- 4; Edo- 7; Kaduna- 4; Bauchi- 6; Enugu- 2; Ekiti- 2; Rivers-1; Benue- 1; Ondo- 1.
In Lagos State, 24 COVID-19 patients who have fully recovered have been discharged from the Mainland Infectious Disease Hospital, Yaba to reunite with their family and the society.
Last week, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi released the list of areas with the highest numbers of confirmed cases in the state.
According to him, Eti-Osa Local Government Area tops the list with 47 cases, followed by Ikeja – 24; and Lagos Mainland – 14.
Abayomi gave out the statistics while giving an update of COVID-19 situation in the state on Friday.
He said Lagos has recorded 98 confirmed cases in six local governments.
However, he said 24 patients have been discharged, bringing the number of active cases in the state to 74.
According to him, Eti-Osa has 47 cases followed by Ikeja with 24, Lagos Mainland – 14, Alimosho – 1, Agege – 1 and Ikorodu – 1.
The commissioner said most of the patients are between 30 and 59 years old, adding that only three patients are between 60 and 70 years currently receiving treatment.
About their gender, Abayomi said 64 per cent of the patients are males while 36 per cent are females.
He said that 68 per cent of the cases were imported in the first four weeks of confirmation of the index case in the state.
“91 per cent of confirmed #COVID-19 cases in Lagos are Nigerians, nine per cent are foreigners,” he added.