*Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu declares COVID-19 is real and here with Nigerians, as the virus is not a respecter of anyone, or of social class, religious belief, or partisan affiliation

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

Having been in isolation receiving treatment for COVID-19 for the past two weeks, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State is now out of isolation as he has tested negative.

Sanwo-Olu addressed the press at the Lagos House, Marina, in Lagos State, Thursday, December 24, 2020, thanking God for seeing him through the virus ordeal.

The governor, who said COVID-19 is real, also thanked the medical team for their care during the period and Lagosians for their prayers and concern all through the isolation period, as he revealed that he experienced mostly moderate symptoms.

He said: “It was an experience I am very glad to have put behind me. I received very dedicated and competent care from the Lagos State COVID-19 Treatment Team, and I am extremely proud of the work that they do.

“They are a big part of the success story of the Lagos State COVID-19 Response.

“I was fortunate to have had a relatively moderate COVID-19 experience. About one in every ten persons who contract the disease in Lagos State is not so lucky.

“They have to go into intensive care, and some of them do not make it out alive. For this reason, my gratitude is deep and profound.

The best way to be lucky is not to get infected at all, “the cliché, prevention is better than cure, should be a watchword for each and every one of us at this moment in time,” he advised.

Sanwo-Olu restated that COVID-19 is real and here with Nigerians; and it is not a respecter of anyone, or of social class, religious belief, or partisan affiliation.

The governor noted “not only is COVID-19 here with us, this second wave we are currently seeing is proving to be more ambitious than the first wave.

“We are seeing infection figures that are surpassing what we saw at the peak of the first wave, and, just like then, Lagos remains the epicenter.

“As Nigeria’s most populous and densely-populated city, and a centre of international trade and commerce, this is not surprising in any way.

“But it is also the reason we need to exercise an abundance of caution.

In view of the approaching festive season in the country, he appealed that gathering, merriment and travelling which are all associated with the Christmas season contribute to the spread of the Coronavirus.

The governor further stressed: “We must now seek to minimise as much of these activities as we can, at this time and going forward.”

He, therefore, urged everyone to act responsibly and not to hide their status, saying, “you’re not doing only yourself a favour, you’re doing other people a favour, especially those among us who are elderly or medically vulnerable.”