COVID-19: Panic in UNILAG as medical centre confirms surge in patients

COVID-19: Panic in UNILAG as medical centre confirms surge in patients

 

There was panic at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), yesterday, following claims that some students have contracted COVID-19, while authorities also confirmed there has been a recent increase in the number of persons within the university community, who have presented with symptoms of COVID-19 infection.

Already, some students said about six of their colleagues from Onas, Moremi and Amina hostels have tested positive to the virus and have been sent to an isolation centre.

Once a student is confirmed positive, others sharing the same room with the student are sent home while the room is immediately cordoned off. Having signed an indemnity form before resuming physical classes, students who have been confirmed of contracting the virus and their roommates were sent home by the school.

It was observed that there was strict enforcement of coronavirus protocols on campus even as Heads of Department and Dean of faculties moved around to ensure compliance.

A student who pleaded anonymity said that some rooms in her hostel have been shut and their occupants sent home after it was confirmed that they have contracted the virus. She said some officials had been going round to ensure that all safety protocols are adhered to.

This development is coming days after Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, alerted of the third wave of the pandemic in the state and tasked residents to comply with the COVID-19 protocol. In a statement issued yesterday by the institution, members of the university community were advised to ensure strict compliance with the COVID-19 protocol, considering the “potential threat” of a third wave of infections.

“The University of Lagos Medical Centre wishes to inform all members of the University of Lagos Community about what appears to be the start of a potential third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Lagos State,” the statement reads.

“The Governor of Lagos, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-olu, in his press statement issued on July 11, 2021, stated that since the beginning of July, there has been a steep increase in the number of daily confirmed cases, with the test positivity rate going from 1.1 per cent at the end of June 2021, to its current rate of 6.6 per cent as at July 8, 2021. This is with a concurrent increase in the occupancy rate at Lagos State isolation centres.

“The University of Lagos community has also been affected by this potential third wave, with an increase in the number of patients presented to the University of Lagos Medical Centre with flu-like symptoms, which are similar to COVID-19. The Medical Centre hereby assures all members of the university community that all necessary actions in line with the Federal and Lagos State Government’s guidelines have been taken regarding this potential threat in our community.

“The Medical Centre will also return to providing emergency only services during this period, in order to protect all members of the community from potential infection within the facility.”

One of the team leaders on COVID-19 containment in Lagos and a consultant public health physician, Prof. Akin Osibogun, said that more cases would be recorded in the state as already announced by the governor. “It is not surprising to see one or two cases in an institution with a population of more than 10,000 students. Expectedly, we should be prepared for a surge, particularly in UNILAG that last week held its graduation activities.”