Fresh Lockdown Looms As COVID-19 Cases Continue To Rise

Following the continued rise in number of COVID-19 infections by the day, Lagos and Osun state governments have threatened

fresh lockdowns if residents continue to  violate government guidelines such as maintaining social distancing and use of face masks in the public.

Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof Akin Abayomi during a media briefing on Friday, said the state holds 42% of the total COVID-19 infections in Nigeria, but however accounts for 23.6per cent of  deaths.

The commissioner who noted that the state is yet to reach the peak, said that cases would continue to rise in the next one or two months.

He further said the state had been able to draw a balance between the public health crisis and ensuring livelihoods while he stressed that the government would not hesitate to impose another lockdown if the things (cases) got out of hands.

Abayomi said,

“We are in the middle of the outbreak and we have not even peaked yet, and so the cases are still rising. We still expect to see a lot more cases in the next one month or two. I would use this platform to remind Lagosians that we have not yet peaked and Lagos is still going through the active community transmission of COVID-19.

“We believe we are managing a delicate balance between the public health crisis and the economic livelihood of Lagosians. If things are getting out of hand, we will certainly consider another lockdown,” he said.

“So I appeal to Lagosians, keep practising the social distancing measures and I hope these practices will help to flatten the curve and protect certain vulnerable members of the community.”

In a similar development, Osun State Government on Friday said it might impose another lockdown if residents continue to flout the government guidelines.

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Rafiu Isamotu, who revealed this in a statement  made available to newsmen, lamented the state recorded 22 new cases in less than 24 hours after discharging 17 recovered patients.

He said,

“On Thursday, we announced the discovery of 17 new cases in our dear state. Sadly, today (Friday) again, we have 22 new cases.

Considering where we are coming from, this is worrisome. We must, therefore, take responsibility. The battle against coronavirus is not over yet.

“Government may be forced to impose another lockdown on the State if residents and citizens continue to flout the lockdown relaxation guidelines.”