Lagos State Government on Monday raised the alarm over finding more positive cases among international travellers and fake COVID-19 certificates on sale in the state.
Akin Abayomi , Commissioner for Health, disclosed this at a press conference to give an update on the second wave of the virus in Lagos.
He said positivity for inbound travellers is on the rise eight percent this week, four percent cumulative as Nigerians in Diaspora return to spend Christmas in Lagos and it has come to our attention that a number of people are patronising individuals that sell fake COVID-19 results.
“We are currently putting in processes to identify both buyers and sellers and we will not hesitate to prosecute either to the full extent of the law,” said Abayomi.
Speaking further on travellers’ compliance, the commissioner said that a significant number of the people who registered on the Lagos State COVID-19 portal for post arrival test have been tested.
According to him, on non-Compliance, a number of people paid for the COVID-19 test, but did not show up for testing noting that efforts are being made through our logistics arm to reach this group of people.
“These attempts have been met with challenges as several people used fake contact information while registering on the testing portal.
“For the sake and safety of the general public, we request that the people in this group come for testing immediately, as we will submit the details of those that don’t to the Presidential Task Force for the deactivation of their passports,” he urged.
COVID-19 disease profile vital data for Lagos State types of symptoms reveals that with the population twenty four million people, the state has 213,623+ as number of tests with about 28,774 numbers of cases. The test positivity Rate is 13.5 percent, Average length of stay is 12 days and case fatality rate is 0.82 percent.
Abayomi also said the reason for the second wave of COVID-19 was due to reopening of schools, General Laxity, False Sense, of Security and Non-adherence to guidelines; opening of the economy, variant, large religious congregation and social gathering and entertainment.
He disclosed that Lagos State had increased its testing capacity per Day (August – December 2020), as the state is now testing between 2,000 and 3,000 per day adding that in the public laboratories about 128,519 samples has been processed which is equivalent to 55 percent and the private Laboratories 107,693 samples processed 45 percent.
“Living with the COVID-19 Pandemic, residents of Lagos will need to make lifestyle adjustments to live with the pandemic. Wear mask everywhere, follow social distancing guidelines, discourage of mass gatherings and promote of hand hygiene,”
“If symptomatic, get tested and if positive, self-Isoolate or present to any Isolation Centre and follow up clinics. We will deploy effective messaging and education via our various platforms, while we enforce all guidelines through the respective State agencies,” said Gbenga Omotoso, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Lagos.
