- Says infection may climax in July with 120,000 cases
The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi has announced the commencement of hydroxychloroquine clinical trial within the space of one week, saying it becomes imperative to do so, as the citizenry of each country have their own peculiarities.
Abayomi, who hinted that the outbreak of disease may climax within July and August in the state with 90,000 and 120, 000 cases, said the clinical trial is going to be in three dimensions, as it will test the efficacy of hydroxychloroquine in protecting healthcare practitioners from contracting the infection; examine its effectiveness in protecting other high-risk people from developing the disease, and its general effects on COVID-19 patients.
The commissioner in a press briefing held at the government secretariat in Alausa on Friday said: “We are going to be receiving thousands of hydroxychloroquine tablets in the coming weeks and we are getting them from original manufacturers, along with other chalk tablets for placebo effects on patients. All these activities will start within the next one week”.
He said increase of cases in the state is due to decentralisation of testing centres, with Alimosho, Oshodi, and Isolo already having high record of the infection.
The Health Commissioner however debunked the news making the round that he tested positive to the infection, saying “I have not tested positive to COVID-19, as I have not tested myself recently, because I have not shown any symptoms, and if I develop any symptoms, I will be admitted to any of the isolation centres, like any other patient”.
Abayomi explained how they tested officials at Government House in Marina, and out of about 80 tests, 10 turned positive, and they are receiving treatment at the isolation centres in the state.
Speaking on the scar of COVID-19 in government healthcare facilities across the state, he emphasized how the government has reserved the 27 general hospitals in state for non-COVID-19 cases, as government does not intend to deprive citizens from accessing healthcare.
“We are preserving our 27 general hospitals for non-COVID-19 cases, because we don’t want patients to have issues accessing public healthcare facilities in the state. All public hospitals are available for patients to access, as we have put in place certain infection preventive facilities.
“Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has also extended free treatment for other common ailments throughout the months of May, while each hospital now has COVID-19 Response Team, with selected isolation areas for suspected cases of the infection”, he briefed.
