There is a possibility that Lagos State may witness up to 39, 000 cases of COVID-19 in the coming weeks if steps are not taken to arrest the infection.
The warning was delivered on Friday by the state’s Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, during a briefing.
Currently, Lagos has the highest number of confirmed cases in Nigeria, accounting for 44 out the 70 cases.
According to Abayomi, about 3,000 primary contacts of those infected with the disease were being traced on a daily basis and if the contacts are not observing self-isolation or social distancing, then the cases may rise.
The Commissioner noted that the mathematical projection was that the state could have up to 39,000 cases.
He stated that with proper social distancing however, the number may be as low as 13, 000.
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Abayomi posited that the state’s strategy of tracing primary contacts of victims and constant follow up have helped to keep the numbers down in the state .
He also noted: “We have to make sure that we practise aggressive social distancing. If we carry on with our strategy we will not give the disease the opportunity to spread.”
Speaking on the number of confirmed cases in the country, Abayomi stated that the current statistics compared to other countries after four weeks, showed that the country was getting it right, containing and curtailing the virus.
“We are doing something right in Lagos. Then if we continue to do that, we will remain on the lower trajectory.
“It shows we are keeping the curve flat which is allowing us to keep up with number of cases we have so far. Until the virus runs out of wind, the curve will flatten, bend and continue to reduce.
“At four weeks, Spain and Italy had thousands of cases.”
