Following rising cases of COVID-19 and non-adherence to safety protocols by residents, indications emerged of possible lockdown again in Lagos to curtail an alarming rate of the spread in the state.
The State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday, stressed the need for the citizenry to be more cautious and comply with all safety protocols amid a spike in cases of COVID-19 as the state recorded an all-time highest cases on Tuesday.The governor, in the early hours, gave the advice via his verified Twitter handle @jidesanwoolu.He tweeted,
“There is an urgent need for us to be more circumspect in the way we live, interact and socialize with our friends and family. Many people are ignoring #COVID19 warnings and guidelines, thereby exposing themselves and others to the virus.“We are well into the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Yesterday, (Tuesday) Lagos scarily recorded its highest number of infection in one day 712“
We have already recorded a frightening spike in infection cases. This spike brings positive cases to a total of 32,720 in Lagos alone.“This second wave comes with severe symptoms, and the higher number of positive cases we detect, the higher number of casualties we’re bound to record. We do not want this, but for this to be avoided, we must be intentional and cautious.“
We also do not want to go into another lockdown. It is important that you wear your masks, avoid crowded areas, wash or sanitize your hands regularly, and practice social distancing.“2021 will only work for us if we take #COVID19 seriously and follow the guidelines laid down by Lagos State Ministry of Health and Presidential Task Force, PTF, on COVID-19.“We simply cannot afford to be complacent at this time.”
On the likelihood of the second lockdown in Lagos, an epicentre of COVID-19 cases in Nigeria, against the Federal Government ruling out lockdown, NewsOnline Nigeria authoritatively gathered that Sanwo-Olu, the Incident Commander had summoned all relevant authorities, particularly health experts to a crucial meeting at Lagos House Marina, where they deliberated on the alarming rate of COVID-19 and the need to stop it at all costs before getting out of hands.
According to a government source who pledged anonymity, “As we speak (on Tuesday noon), the governor is meeting with health authorities and relevant members of the State Executive Council over the unabated rising cases of COVID-19 in the state.“Therefore, as one of the pragmatic measures to drastically curb the wave the state government may likely impose the second lockdown soon, mildly though if present situation persists. That’s all I can say about it for now.”
Meanwhile, COVID-19 cases hit all-time high in Nigeria on Wednesday, with Lagos and Abuja posting more than half of new infections.Reports from the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, showed that the nation reported 1,664 new cases of Coronavirus on Wednesday, the highest in a single day since the pandemic broke out in February 2020 in the country.
For three days running, Nigeria has broken COVID-19 records, with Lagos also setting new records.
Nigeria’s 1,664 new cases represented an increase from the 1,354 cases posted on TuesdayLagos recorded 642 fresh cases, while Abuja posted 402 new infections and Plateau, 160 cases.Both Lagos and Abuja raked in over 1,000 of Wednesday’s new cases posted by the nation.
This takes the nation’s total confirmed COVID-19 cases to 94,369, with 77,299 survivors discharged and 1,324 deaths reported after five people died on Wednesday.
