LASU Med School Shut As 3 Students, Officials Test Positive For Covid-19

Three students and some officials of the Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM) have tested positive for COVID-19 and the institution has been shut.

The Head, Centre for Information, Press and Public Relations of the university, Ademola Adekoya, confirmed the development to Premium Times on Thursday.

Adekoya noted that the three persons infected by the virus were already undergoing treatment while contact tracing had also commenced.

He said students had been instructed to self-isolate for 14 days, and if they become symptomatic during the period, should present themselves for treatment.

Adekoya, however, did not mention the number of officials infected with the virus but enjoined the college community to remain optimistic.

A statement by the school reads: “Owing to the present reality of the Covid19 we are faced with and after evidence-based investigation that some students and College staffs have been confirmed positive of the coronavirus, 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.

“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.

“The Provost also reiterated that the college isolation bay shall be set up within these 2 weeks of isolation and complete evacuation of students from the college arena.

“We strongly encourage everyone to STRICTLY adhere to the Covid-19 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”.

The institution said modalities for school resumption would be circulated after the isolation period, adding that courses and examinations have been suspended.

On Wednesday, Lagos recorded 542 new cases of COVID-19, and a total of 37,852 infections so far since the outbreak of the virus in 2020.

The state has the highest number of cases and has been described as the hub of the pandemic in the country.