Lagos discharges 37 COVID-19 patients, increases public gatherings to 50 persons

*There’s a general decrease in positivity rates of COVID-19 cases in Lagos over last couple of weeks ─Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu

*Increase in gatherings applies to events including Annual General Meetings, funerals

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

Having recorded some considerable progress in the ongoing efforts, measures and guidelines put in place to curb the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Lagos State Government of Nigeria has increased the permissible capacity of public gatherings from initial 20 to 50 persons.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, announced this at the Lagos House, Marina, during the 17th update on the management of Coronavirus in the state.

ConsumerConnect reports the governor explained that the latest increase in the number of persons at public assemblies applies to a wide range of events from Annual General Meetings (AGMs) to funerals.

He said that there had been a general decrease in positivity rates of COVID-19 cases in Lagos State over the past two weeks.

According to him, the decrease, when combined with the increase in testing numbers, paints a very encouraging picture of the outcome of government’s response strategy.

Sanwo-Olu said: “Dear Lagosians, having carefully reviewed the current scenario in Lagos State, we have taken some important decisions in line with the ongoing objective of calibrating an effective balance between the competing demands of safeguarding lives and enabling livelihoods.

“We are increasing the permissible capacity for public gatherings from 20 to 50 persons. This applies to a wide range of events from AGMs to funerals.

“Lagosians should please continue to keep in mind that there is documented evidence that mass gatherings can increase the spread of infectious diseases, such as Coronavirus.”

He stressed that the residents of the state must strictly adhere to all standard prevention and control measures, including physical distancing, mandatory temperature checks and use of masks in public places, regular disinfection of premises, and strong personal hygiene.

“Restaurants will now be permitted to open for in-dining services, from the 14th of August, on the proviso that they maintain a 50 percent occupancy capacity.

“The restaurants must have also obtained a Provisional Safety Compliance Certificate through the registration portal of the Lagos State Safety Commission: www.lasgsafetyreg.com,” said Sanwo-Olu.

Social clubs and recreational centres would also now be allowed to open from August 14, on the condition that they had applied for and obtained a Provisional Safety Compliance Certificate, according to the governor.

He disclosed that these Safety Clearance Certificates are being issued only to Social Clubs with Registered Trustees at the moment.

Clubs and centres that reopen without complying with these mandatory requirements would be shut down and dealt with according to the law.

He declared: “Note also that the closure of all spas, bars, lounges, night clubs, cinemas, games arcades remains in place.

The possible re-opening of these places will be further reviewed before the end of the month.

“The relevant agencies will be carrying out spot checks and random inspections of businesses and facilities, and defaulters will be sanctioned appropriately,” said he.

Likewise, the Lagos State Government discharged 37 more recovered COVID-19 patients Sunday, August 2.

Sanwo-Olu who said they were discharged after testing negative to the virus.

Of the figure, he said they are 15 females and 22 males including six foreign nationals.

According to him, 8 of the patients are from the Isolation Centre at Agidingbi, seven from Onikan, and another seven from the Mainland Infectious Disease Hospital, Yaba.

A patient was discharged from Gbagada, two from the First Cardiology and 12 from the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) Isolation Centre.

With the newly-recovered person, Lagos State has now successfully treated and discharged 2,216 of the confirmed cases, according to Prof. Akin Abayomi, Honourable Commissioner for Health in Lagos State.

As of Saturday, August 1, 2020, Lagos as Nigeria’s COVID-19 epicentre, had recorded 15,186 cases with 12,846 persons still on admission.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) stated that of the number, 192 have died.

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