Just In: “We Identified 119 People With COVID-19 Symptoms During House-To-House Search” – Lagos Health Commissioner

Akin Abayomi, commissioner for health in Lagos state, has said a total of 118,000 households have been reached in the active case search of possible COVID-19 cases in communities.

At a media briefing on Tuesday, the commissioner expressed that community search was activated to limit the spread of the disease in the state which has the highest number of COVID-19 patients in the country.

It would be recalled that Governor Sanwo-Olu had on April 9 announced through an official tweet that electronic questionnaires would be administered in the state to gather data about some Coronavirus symptoms like cough, cold and fever.

The Governor, while giving a reason for the questionnaire, said the enquiry was to intensify search for possible cases of Coronavirus in different communities across the state, also known as Active Case Search. 

Abayomi stated 110 persons were found with symptoms of coronavirus but tests are being conducted to determine their status.

He explained that;

We’ve embarked on an active case search in communities. The idea is to go to hot spots and go from door to door with our health personnel.

Abayomi revealed that in the past two days, they have visited 118,000 households looking for typical symptoms of COVID-19, adding that;

We’ve identified about 119 people who have the symptoms that are suggestive of COVID-19. But let me remind you that COVID is one of the viruses that can cause respiratory symptoms. There are many viruses.

He explained that samples taken from the 119 patients would be analysed in order to have an idea of how much COVID-19 activity is happening in the communities.

This follows the announcement of 8 more patients discharged from the Infectious Disease Hospital in Yaba.

Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of the state, who broke the news on Tuesday afternoon, said the patients; two females and six males were discharged after fully recovering.