3 LASUCOM students test positive for COVID-19

Afeez Rabiu and Charis Kings

Yesterday Wednesday, January 13, 2020, speculations about five person's being students of the Lagos State University college of medicine testing positive for the novel coronavirus was confirmed. Students from the faculty have been in a state of mixed emotions as preparations for the semesters exams are in top gears.
In a circular sent to class groupchats on WhatsApp, signed by four of the five department association excos last night, the students were informed about the confirmation of the students and staff who contacted the virus recently and the management decision on the issue which includes instructing all students to go and self isolate for the next two weeks.
Distinguished LASUCOMites
Following a much heated conversation at an emergency board meeting held today, between all association president and the school management, below were the conclusions reached:

1. Owing to the present reality of the Covid19 we are faced with and after an evident based investigation that some students and College staffs have been confirmed positive of the corona virus, The Provost has mandated that EVERY student should evacuate the hostel and isolate themselves at home for the next 2weeks effective from Friday 15th January. This was a decision made at an emergency academic board meeting.
2. The Provost advised that any student with likely/ classical symptoms of the virus should fill a form which shall be sent across board in the shortest time possible and the concerned individuals shall be called upon for testing tomorrow whilst they await the results of their test at home.
3. Furthermore, communique as regards the modalities of school resumption shall be passed across shortly after the 2weeks of isolation.
4. Additionally, and more notably, EVERY incourse and exam has been put on hold until further notice.
5. Conclusively, The Provost also reiterated that the college isolation bay shall be set up within this 2weeks of isolation and complete evacuation of students from the college arena.
   We strongly encourage everyone to STRICTLY adhere to the Covid19 guidelines as stated by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control in a bid to help mitigate the spread and impact of the deadly virus within and beyond the college arena.
   Signed:
   LASUMSA
   LASUADS
   SPAN
   NUNSA

The Provost of the college Professor Adewuya when contacted to verify the information did not give a verdict but only said "wait for official information from the University" in his words. Other students Union leaders whom were contacted, all of whom plead anonymity confirmed the account stating that the management carried them along and also warned them to keep it descrete so as not to raise panic on campus. Students go on to say certain departmental association leaders expressed their dissatisfaction towards the attitude of students the present crisis and urged students to keep info such as these to themselves.
Ademola Adekoya the director of the CIPPR (being center for information, press and Public Relations) confirmed the situation of the infected students to premium times reporters and gave an official statement on the issue a while after.
PRESS RELEASE

LAGOS STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF MEDICINE CLOSE HOSTELS AS THREE STUDENTS TEST POSITIVE FOR COVID-19

The Management of Lagos State University wishes to inform staff, students and the general public that three (3) students of the Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM) have tested positive for Covid-19 leading the College to immediately close down all her hostel facilities.

In addition, stakeholders are also informed that:

1. Room mates of the three students who tested positive and their associates are being tested;
2. The College already isolated the affected three (3) students and has commenced contact tracing of all affected students;
3. The hostel facilities were immediately closed for decontamination upon confirmation of the status of the affected students;
4. All students of the College have been advised to proceed home to self-isolate for the next fourteen (14) days from where their health status will be monitored by the College. Phone numbers/contacts of all students are already obtained to that effect;
5. Any students showing symptoms at home are to contact the College through dedicated lines for necessary assistance/treatment;
6. Meanwhile, the College has handed treatment packs to all three who tested positive;
7. The College is also providing psychological support to the three students who tested positive and their roommates.

Parents, Guardians and the general public are assured that the safety of all staff and students is of top priority and the Lagos State University as a whole will continue to enforce compliance with Covid-19 guidelines and protocols to ensure the safety of all within her campuses.

Management also again enjoins all students, staff and the general public to take personal responsibility and continue to observe Covid-19 guidelines as the virus is real and deadly.

Signed.
Ademola Adekoya
Coordinator, Centre for Information, Press and Public Relations
Lagos State University.

So far as we can confirm, there is no medical decontamination going on yet in the areas where the students whom were said to have tested positive were and the students are still going about their activities on Campus while some said they are preparing for tests.