Coronavirus: Lagos begins search for those in physical contact with Italian victim

The Lagos State State Government has begun a search for all the contacts of the Italian who brought coronavirus to Nigeria.

This was contained in a press statement by the Ministry of Health in Lagos State on Friday.

The statement signed by the Lagos Commissioner for Health, Prof Akin Abayomi, expressed concern that the disease might be severe in those that had contacts with the Italian.

He said the patient, who returned to Nigeria from Italy, has been placed in isolation centre in Lagos.

Abayomi said, “We will use all the resources made available by the State and the Federal Government to respond to this case.

“We are working to identify all the contacts of the patient since he arrived in Nigeria.

“Please, be reminded that most people who become infected may experience only a mild illness and recover easily, but it can be more severe in others, particularly the elderly and persons with other underlying chronic illnesses.”

He, however, warned residents not to create tension by spreading false information about the disease on social media.

“Citizens must not abuse social media and indulge in spreading misinformation that causes fear and panic. The Lagos State Ministry of Health, in collaboration with Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, will continue to provide updates and will initiate all measures required to prevent the spread of the outbreak in Lagos,” he added.