- govt opens the Onikan Isolation Centre today
The Nigerian Centre for Disease Control, (NCDC) in partnership with other health institutions may begin clinical trials for COVID-19 in Lagos State next week, the Lagos State Government said on Monday.
The Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, who dropped the hint of the collaboration at the weekly news briefing by the state government on the pandemic, said the trial would take-off with patients already diagnosed with the virus and health workers in the state.
He equally revealed that the isolation centre which has been completed at the old Onikan Stadium would be officially opened for use by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu today, even as he debunked claims that the cure for the virus has been found.
According to him, “A lot of researches are going on around the world and it is possible that at some time in the near future, we will have what we may describe as a definitive cure for COVID-19.
“Indeed we are setting up our own clinical trials in Lagos in collaboration with other institutions and the NCDC and hopefully by this time next week, we should have started some clinical trials on our patients and on our staff in Lagos State.”
Abayomi attributed the low number of COVID-19 cases so far recorded in the state, compared to other countries where there is an outbreak of the infection, to residents’ level of compliance to the sit-at-home order by the Federal Government.
He noted that the low figures recorded in the State indicated that the strategies adopted and being implemented by the State government was yielding the desired results.
Abayomi explained that the State has been recording meteoric success in flattening the steep rise in the curve of transmission.
“We are achieving success in delaying the spread of infection and expanding the time needed to impose social distancing and other measures. This is an indication that we are gradually winning the battle against the spread of the disease,” he observed.
While applauding residents for complying with the restriction order, he lamented that some Lagosians still flouted the stay-at-home instruction as they are seen engaging in activities which contravene the principle of social distancing and other relevant measures put in place by government to check the spread of the virus.
He advised them to adhere strictly to the order which he said has greatly helped in contact tracing of suspected cases and enabled health workers to respond swiftly in locating infected people within the state.
He stated further that in addition to the Onikan facility, an additional 180 bed-space facility at the Gbagada General Hospital will also be commissioned by the end of the week.
‘’We have enough facilities to manage the situation. We also have enough Personal Protection Equipment in stock for our health workers. Presently, we are still operating from the Mainland Hospital where we have 60 per cent of our bed-space available. Our Isolation Centers in Onikan Stadium and Gbagada General Hospital will be opened tomorrow and end of the week respectively. We believe this will provide almost 300-bed space,’’ he said.
