Coronavirus: Sanwo-Olu Calls For Support From Stakeholders

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has called on community, religious and traditional leaders as well as unions, associations and educationists to cooperate with the State Government in spreading basic information to curb the spread of coronavirus among their community members and adherents.

Speaking on Tuesday at the stakeholders’ forum on the Management and Control of COVID-19, organised to sensitise Lagosians, the Governor noted that the event was convened to save the State the trauma of managing further spread of the Coronavirus.

Sanwo-Olu, represented by his deputy, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, further urged citizens to stop gossip and rumour mongering on the coronavirus, saying that the outbreak calls for caution and obedience to medical advice.

The Governor emphasised that any information that does not emanate from the Federal Ministry of Health, Lagos State Ministry of Health or the National Centre for Disease Control should be verified before spreading it on the social media, noting that as a responsible government, the present administration had to activate all medical procedures to ensure that the disease does not put the life of a majority of residents at risk.

He maintained that despite the fact that the government does not pray for an increase in the number of coronavirus cases, arrangements are in place to handle any further incidents that might be discovered in the coming days.

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Alluding to the experience garnered during the Ebola outbreak in 2014, the Governor said a partnership with the Canadian government to set up Biosafety Level-3 Laboratory at the Mainland Hospital Yaba enhanced the State government’s capacity to manage any disease outbreak, such as the Coronavirus which now exists in over 67 countries across the world.

He further called for all hands to be on deck to prevent the infection from growing among the populace, adding that Lagosians must adhere to the simple procedure that can break the chain of transmission of the disease.

The Governor advised anyone with symptoms of fever, cough or difficulties in breathing to promptly seek medical attention at any of the Primary Healthcare Centres or General Hospitals that have been directed to attend to all patients who present themselves for treatment.

The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso disclosed that the forum was convened to enlighten Lagosians on the Coronavirus, provide information about the journey so far and stop fake news that has been trending since the break of the disease last week.

He added that Lagosians need to form a strong bond to ensure that there is compliance with medical advice to prevent an upscale of the coronavirus situation in the State.