The Lagos State Government has denied reports on the social media that there are large numbers of Chinese nationals infected with Coronavirus in Gowon Estate, saying preliminary investigation shows otherwise.

The social media report had said the Chinese nationals in Osoba Close, Gowon Estate, recently came back from Wuhan and were treating themselves from symptoms of the virus in the estate.

But the Commissioner for Health, Lagos State, Prof. Akin Abayomi, Sunday, said there was no Osoba close or street in Gowon Estate as speculated in the viral social media broadcast, adding that it has used all available intelligence from key community members to investigate the claim.

He said: “A team was deployed to the estate, along with key community members, including ward focals, councilors, motor bike riders, market women, bar tenders, using implementation and Google maps to thoroughly search all streets in the estate.

“We will continue our investigation today (February 9) with full cooperation from the DPO of Gowon Estate Police Station, through the intervention of the chairman of Mosan Okunola LCDA, who has promised to reinforce our surveillance team,” he said.

He called on Lagos residents to desist from circulating any suspected case of Coronavirus outbreak directly to the public, adding that such cases should be reported to the ministry through dedicated phone numbers; 08023169485 and 08033685529.

“Circulating suspected disease outbreaks to the public can cause panic and anxiety among the citizens which may result in greater harm. We also call on Lagos residents not to engage in false news of disease outbreaks, as this is considered a serious offence with biosecurity implications.

Any person found to be engaging in this kind of misinformation will be prosecuted in accordance with the law,” Abayomi added. (THISDAY)

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