Sanwo-Olu Shares Experience On COVID-19

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has shared the ordeal of his battle against the dreaded virus in a briefing held at the State House, Marina.

He said: “COVID-19 is real”, apparently instructing those still in doubt of the outbreak of the pandemic.

The Governor, on December 11, went into self-isolation after exposure to an infected assistant. His test result came back positive, the day after.

Sanwo-Olu, however, said he was fortunate to have had a moderately acceptable experience in the course of his infection, but added that he experienced most of the symptoms associated with COVID-19, including cough, fatigue, and loss of sensation.

The Governor conveyed concern about the new surge in the rate of infection, disclosing that Lagos was now recording 18 percent positive results from the daily testing. He solicited the residents to join in the effort to tame the virus by strictly adhering to the public health guidelines issued by the State Government.

The Governor said the second wave of the virus sweep was proving to be more ambitious and dangerous than the first period of outbreak, urging the people to protect themselves and loved ones from the harshness of the virus.

He said: “Fellow Lagosians, let me sound this note of warning again, as I have done from the onset of this pandemic, COVID-19 is real. It is here with us, and it is not a respecter of anyone, or social class, religious belief, or partisan coalition. Not only is the virus here with us, but this second wave we are currently seeing is also proving to be more ambitious than the first wave.

“We are seeing infection figures that are outweighing what we saw at the peak of the first wave, and, just like then, Lagos remains the epicenter. As a densely-populated city and a center of international trade and commerce, this is not surprising in any way. But, it is also the reason we need to drill an abundance of caution in this period.”

The Governor stressed that the State Government was not resting on its oars to halt the second wave of the pandemic, disclosing that the State had started to raise the capacity of its isolation centers and General Hospitals by installing Oxygen Kiosks, which are needed for treatment of COVID-19 patients with compromised respiratory tracts.

Sanwo-Olu said six Oxygen Kiosks out of the ten proposed in the first phase would be uncovered next week.

Eko Hot Blog understood that the Governor restated that the emergency required to tame the second wave of the virus would not permit public gatherings and crowding, especially in Yuletide when ecclesiastical centers would be holding services and vigils.

He directed worship to suspended all-night services, including vigils and crossover events, noting that the Federal Government-imposed curfew between midnight and 4 am would be enforced.

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He said: “All over the world, the Christmas period is associated with gathering, enjoyment, and traveling, which all, sadly, contribute to the spread of the virus. We must now seek to minimize as much of these activities as we can, at this time. Let this Christmas be a period of mortifying reflection.

“The quicker we can subdue this raging virus, through credible behavior, the higher the likelihood that we will enjoy 2021 that is not as restrictive and difficult as 2020. By acting responsibly, we are not doing only ourselves a favor, we are accomplishing other people’s favor as well, especially those among us who are elderly or medically vulnerable.”

As part of the measures to halt COVID-19 spread, Sanwo-Olu strongly advised residents to cancel all non-essential travels, regardless of destinations