Lagos Okays N200m for COVID-19 Treatment Centres

By Ahmed Rahma

The Lagos State Government has approved the sum of N200 million to support the federal government’s COVID-19 treatment centres in the state.

The money, to be disbursed today, according to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, is in view of the rising profile of the coronavirus disease.

“I have approved the sum of N200 million to support the ongoing patient management and treatment efforts of two federal government treatment centres in our state.

“This is in view of the rising profile of the coronavirus disease due to the mutating variants now being discovered globally and to shore up our containment and management capacity,” Mr Sanwo-Olu said in a statement.

On how the money would be shared and when it will be disbursed, he said, “To this end, LUTH will be receiving N150 million and the Federal Medical Center, Ebute Metta, will be receiving N50 million. These sums will be disbursed on Monday, February 1.

Mr Sanwo-Olu said that Lagos State continued to be the epicentre of the coronavirus pandemic in Nigeria and as at January 29, 2021, had recorded a total of 47,871 confirmed cases of COVID-19.

He added that of the 47,871 cases, 34,094 had recovered while 9,856 were currently active in the community.

Over the last 12 months, about 3,988 COVID-related patients had been admitted into the various care centres across the state; with a registered fatality rate of approximately 0.63 per cent (301 deaths), he further added.

The Governor also revealed that currently, Lagos State has 21 private and four public health laboratories accredited for COVID-19 testing, adding that so far, a total of 316,801 samples had been tested, with 47,871 diagnosed as positive.

“The test positivity ratio for January 2021 is 24 per cent, which means that one out of every four tests returns positive. This is the highest monthly average recorded in the last six months.

“It should be stressed that testing is free at all Lagos State public health laboratories, for all persons who fall within the case definition.

“The case definition includes persons who have symptoms such as fever, cough, cold, inability to smell or taste, headaches or general body weakness – or those who have come into close contact with anyone with any of these symptoms.

“Testing at our public health facilities will continue to remain free but cannot be used for travel purposes.

“Anyone wishing to test as a requirement for either outbound or inbound travel or other work-related requirements must do so at any of the 21 private laboratories accredited by Lagos State for COVID testing,” he said.