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Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu tests positive for Coronavirus
BY KAZIE UKO
Lagos State governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has been confirmed positive with the Coronavirus disease.
Sanwo-Olu was tested Friday for COVID-19 after an unnamed close aide of his tested positive for the resurging virus. The governor, according to a statement by the Commissioner for Health, Prof Akin Abayomi, subsequently went into isolation while awaiting the result of his test.
The news of the result, however, turned out not to be a good one for the governor who had earlier been tested for COVID-19 on three different occasions and came out negative.
Prof Abayomi, in a statement on Saturday said: “Following Lagos State Governor @jidesanwoolu’s exposure to a confirmed case of COVID-19, a PCR test performed yesterday, the 11th of December, has confirmed that he has indeed been infected with the virus, which is supported by mild symptoms and fatigue.
“Mr. Governor is receiving treatment and is being closely monitored at home by the very experienced State COVID-19 clinical team from (Infectious Disease Hospital) IDH Yaba.
“Mr. Sanwo-Olu is doing well on treatment and rest and we are confident that he will recover quickly and clear the virus.”
According to the commissioner, Lagos State is seeing slightly increasing number of COVID-19 positive cases in clusters. He advised all residents and visitors to strictly adhere to the prescribed advisories of safe distancing, mask-wearing, good hand and respiratory hygiene and avoid large gatherings.
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He warned: “The festive season is likely to create the opportunity for the virus to spread if we are not compliant with the regulations established by the Presidential Task Force (PTF) for inbound travellers and the festive season celebrations.
“All inbound travellers must be COVID-19 negative by PCR before they board a flight to Nigeria and must self-isolate on arrival and undergo a pre-booked test on Day Seven of arrival in Nigeria.
“Lagosians should keep celebrations to a minimum and be observant and responsible in their interactions. The significant gains achieved to date in containing COVID-19 in Lagos, which has allowed us to carefully reopen the economy, must not be reversed. #LASG #Covid19LASG
“No one is immune to this virus and it is certainly still circulating in the community.”
Abayomi pleaded with Lagosians to, “Please join me in praying and wishing the Incident Commander of the Lagos State COVID-19 response, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, a speedy recovery so he can return to normal duties as soon as possible,” adding, “I will be keeping the public informed regularly of Mr. Governor’s recovery and wellbeing.”