Lagos maintains COVID-19 vigilance, strengthens infection control

By Oluwafunke Ishola

The Lagos State Primary Health Care Board (LSPHCB) says infection prevention and control (IPC) measures remain firmly in place across the state’s primary healthcare centres.

Its Permanent Secretary, Dr Ibrahim Mustafa, gave the assurance in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), following reports of a new COVID-19 case in Cross River State.

Mustafa emphasised that Lagos had not relaxed its guard, noting that protocols introduced before and during the COVID-19 pandemic had continued to be enforced in all primary health facilities to curb the spread of infectious diseases.

“We cannot say COVID-19 has completely left us. What has changed is that vaccination has improved immunity, making most infections milder and less likely to result in severe outcomes.”

He credited widespread vaccination and booster doses for strengthening herd immunity, significantly reducing transmission and severity of the virus in the community.

“Many residents received multiple doses during the peak of the pandemic, contributing to increased population-level protection,” he said.

However, he disclosed that COVID-19 vaccines were currently out of stock nationwide, stressing that efforts were underway by the Federal Government to secure additional supplies.