Coronavirus not in Lagos yet – Commissioner

The Lagos State Government has said that the deadly Coronavirus, which it alerted members of the public to its existence recently, has not been found in the state or Nigeria.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, who made the clarification on Friday in Lagos along with the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Lateef Ibirogba, explained that the alert to members of the public was informed by the need to ask intending Nigerian pilgrims for the lesser Haji to take precautionary measures since the deadly Coronavirus has been found in Asia, particularly in Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirate.
Idris explained that no fewer than 90 people have been identified as infected with the deadly virus in the world, among which 45 people have died, with 70 of the 90 cases found in Saudi Arabia alone, out of which 38 people had died.
He likened the new virus to the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome that ravaged the world some years back, adding that vulnerable people, including the elderly, pregnant women, children, chronic lung infection patients, stroke patients and cancer victims are more susceptible to the Coronavirus disease.
The commissioner therefore urged the vulnerable group not to embark on the lesser Haji or the full Hajj, just as he reiterated his earlier call on the people to observe a high standard of personal and environmental hygienic in order to reduce the risk of infection.
Idris noted that as at now there is no specific treatment for the illnesses caused by the Coronavirus as well as the ways the virus are spread have not been extensively studied but confirmed that it could be transmitted easily from one person to another through coughing and sneezing, close contact such as touching or shaking the hands of an infected person, and touching one’s mouth, nose or eyes after touching contaminated objects or surfaces.
“The human Coronavirus usually causes mild to moderate upper respiratory tract illnesses and can progress to severe respiratory illness and pneumonia particularly in the aged, young and already ill people and its symptoms include runny nose, sore throat, shortness of breath and fever,” the Commissioner opined.
He again called on the people to suspect Coronavirus in people that develop acute respiratory illnesses with a history of recent travel to areas where the virus has been reported and not responding to appropriate treatment for the listed complaints or a close contact of a symptomatic traveler to areas where the virus has been reported.
The commissioner noted that the risk of infection of the virus can be reduced if people observe a high standard of personal and environmental hygiene by often washing the hands with soap and water; not touching the eyes, nose or mouth frequently; avoiding close contact with people who are sick; ensuring that objects used by the sick are sterilized; and avoiding being in an overcrowded place.