181 students and staff of a private boarding school in Lekki, Lagos State have tested positive for COVID-19.

This was disclosed by Prof. Akin Abayomi, the State Commissioner for Health, on Friday, October 16.

Abayomi revealed that the cases were confirmed during Surveillance and case investigation in the school,(name withheld), which has 441 students and staff. 

Speaking on the investigation, the commissioner explained that a 14-year-old SSS 1 female Student fell sick on October 3rd and was sent home after receiving first aid at the school. 

He said that the Student subsequently tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday, October 6 in one the laboratories accredited by the Lagos State Government. 

Prof Abayomi assured Lagosians that the State Government, through the incident commands system, has the situation under control. 

He reiterated that the Government have taken measures to curb the spread of the infection and also manage the infected persons. 

According to the him, all parents were contacted and counselled via a zoom call on October 13 to "further allay their fears and communication between the school authorities and parents".

The zoom call was attended by the commissioners for Health and Education and all relevant responders and stakeholders.

“There is a total lockdown and movement restriction in the school with the Epidemiology and Surveillance Pillar of the EOC and Ibeju-Lekki LGA State Disease Surveillance and Notification Officer (DSNO) reporting at the school daily to conduct further investigation while positive students and staff have been isolated on the premises and given the COVID-19 home-care treatment packs and are being monitored in isolation within the school premises,” Abayomi said.

The Commissioner stated that the school authorities, supported by the State Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education, are following the COVID-19 guidelines as set out by the Government.

He said: “students are to be isolated in the School premises and if unwell will be admitted in one of the accredited isolation centers in Lagos. Students are discouraged from going home to avoid infecting members of their families. 

“I am pleased to announce that all the infected students are predominantly asymptomatic while some have very mild symptoms, no student has required hospitalization,” he said.

“Members of the Emergency Operation Center and our counterparts in the Ministry of Education have been deployed to the school to provide strategic interventions and support to the school. This includes psychosocial support, infection prevention control, medical monitoring and risk communication experts to further enlighten and educate affected people,” Abayomi noted.

The Commissioner reiterated that Nigerians need to practise the highest standard of personal and environmental hygiene. 

He also urged the general public to use face masks in public places, wash their hands frequently and maintain physical distance to prevent the spread of Coronavirus. 

“COVID-19 is still very much with us and we must strive to prioritize the safety of all, including students and teachers, by adhering strictly to prevention protocols and guidelines issued by government to prevent its spread,” Abayomi said.

He urged Lagosians to call the 08000EKOMED or 08000356633 toll-free line if they notice any sign or symptoms of COVID-19, which include fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue or loss of taste or smell.

According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), as at Thursday , October 15, Lagos State has recorded 20,433 confirmed cases of COVID-19, 15,253 recoveries and 204 deaths.