Delta COVID-19 variant: Lagos Governor Sanwo-Olu gives update on rising cases

Lagos state Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has reacted to the recent rise in COVID-19 deaths in the state, saying that the residents of the state needs to be more vigilant and adhere to all the safety protocols putting in place by the state. 

He said that the recorded 30 Covid related deaths in the last 6 days, is worrying trend of the third wave of the pandemic, explaining that from the last week in July into August, the positivity rate in Lagos rose to 8.9% with frightening figures of hospitalization and fatalities. 

According to the governor, There has been an eight-fold increase in the infection rate in Lagos, resulting in 4,300 confirmed cases in July alone, while 352 patients were admitted into the state-run isolation facilities. Let me make it clear that this necessary sense of alarm should not be responded to with panic, but with firm resolve and a determination to reverse the trend. We must dig deep into what we have learnt from the previous waves, as well as summon the will to do everything necessary to bring down the numbers and eventually defeat the virus once and for all.

He said that the state have low vaccination rate, noting that 161,040 out of the 404,414 residents who got the first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine administered in March did not return for their second doses.

Governor Sanwo-Olu stated that Lagos would soon be receiving a sizeable allocation of the single-dosed Moderna vaccine already delivered to the Federal Government.

While urging residents who didn't receive any dose of the previous vaccine to come out and get vaccinated, He noted that the Moderna vaccine cannot be mixed with AstraZeneca 

The governor said that the state is expecting a second allocation of AstraZeneca vaccine before the end of August to vaccinate those who are yet to get the second shot. 

He appealed to residents of the state to work with the government to ensure that the third wave is quelled and ensure that they remain vigilant and do not let go of all the safeTyler precautions necessary to stop the spread of the virus.