In a bid to prevent an outbreak of the fast spreading Novel Corona Virus, the Lagos State Government has launched an Incident Command System which is meant to help with the containment of the Virus in the unlikely event of its outbreak in the State.
The Governor of the State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who launched the Incident Command System on Monday, February 03, 2020, said the measure is not to stigmatise citizens of any country but a precautionary one taken in the interest of the people.
He said that relevant Health Professionals in conjunction with the Federal Ministry of Health would be deployed to the Lagos International Airport for a higher level of monitoring.
He said, “What we have started to do is to have what we call a heightened state concern on the Corona Virus, we are not declaring an emergency in any form but creating a heightened state concern.
The Governor therefore assured that the Government and Non-Governmental Organisations will continue to escalate communication and create public awareness.
According to him, the team expects people to be self-quarantined, the State will carry out a supervised quarantine where details about immigrants will be taken at the point of entry while the team will do daily follow-ups through phone calls to identified individuals for a period of two weeks.
He further disclosed that all major General Hospitals are also being prepared in the event of an outpour into any of them. The Hospitals on the Mainland have tents coming up and extensive resources are being put in that particular Health Facility for them to be on standby in case of any suspected or identified case.
The Command System will have the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu as the Incident Commander while the Commissioner for Health will serve as the Deputy Incident Commander.
The Commissioner of Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi while speaking explained that the Novel Corona Virus is a new pathogen to the human race and as such, research is still on going on how to arrest it.
According to him, no suspected or confirmed case of the Virus has been found in Lagos, he therefore warned residents against rumour mongering on public health and safety.
The Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; the Consul General of People’s Republic of China, Chu Moaming and the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Folashade Jaji were among the dignitaries present at the event.
Ojo Taiwo Israel
Information Officer
FIC, LAGOS
