NMA: 35 doctors have contracted COVID-19 in Kwara

The Kwara branch of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) says 35 doctors have so far tested positive for COVID-19 in the state.

Kolade Solagberu, the state NMA chairman, who spoke to journalists on Monday, however, noted that the association has not recorded any casualty among its members.

He cautioned residents to disregard the belief that COVID-19 is not real and that it is a money-making venture for the government.

Solagberu also enjoined the people to make use of e-health services and avoid visiting hospitals during this period,  unless it is a “life-threatening” case.

“Residents should help the doctors to help them by not paying unnecessary visits or consultations to hospitals,” he said.

“For now, people should avoid visiting the hospital except for life-threatening issues.

“We advise people to engage in e-health services instead of physical consultation to avoid contact as much as possible.

“People should stop unnecessary visits to patients in the hospital. Those who follow a patient waiting to be attended to, are not encouraged for now.

“You should just help us to help you because the less the number of patients we attend to, the less the chances of spreading the virus. This is because every patient is a potential COVID-19 case.”

The NMA chairman commended the federal and state governments for the continued closure of schools, adding that safety should be paramount until the coast is clear.

As of Sunday, Kwara had confirmed 330 COVID-19 cases, out of which 179 recoveries and 12 deaths have been recorded.