UNILAG medical centre suspends services — after exposure to COVID-19 patient

The University of Lagos Medical Centre has suspended services after exposure to a patient who later tested positive for coronavirus.

An outpatient was said to have been received at the hospital on April 20 and thereafter referred for COVID-19 test, which turned out positive five days later.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the management said the temporary closure was for decontamination.

The closure will take effect on Saturday, and last for two weeks.

“The University of Lagos Management wishes to inform members of the University community and the general public that the UNILAG Medical Centre will be temporarily closed for 14 days with effect from today Saturday, April 25, 2020,” it read.

“The University has made this necessary decision in order to decontaminate the Centre following exposure to an outpatient who was seen at the Centre on Monday, April 20, 2020 and immediately referred for COVID-19 testing.

“The Medical Centre was notified of the results on Friday, April 24, 2020 and immediately sought the guidance of the COVID-19 response team and institutional infectious disease experts.”

The management assured members of the university community and the general public “that the University of Lagos Medical Centre had already put in place control measures for infection prevention before and at the time of the suspected exposure”.

“Kindly note also, that the Centre is meticulously following the prescribed protocols and that these recommendations for temporary closure and decontamination are being followed as extra precautionary measures to assure the safety of the community,” it added.

“For emergencies, please call these lines 08093933356, 08033203609.”

The management also urged the University community to keep observing precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the virus, stay at home, receive no visitors and stay safe.