Health officials in Lagos say COVID-19 prevention protocols have not been relaxed despite renewed concerns over new cases.
The Lagos State Primary Health Care Board says infection prevention and control (IPC) measures remain firmly in place across all primary healthcare centres in the state.
Permanent Secretary, Ibrahim Mustafa, gave the assurance in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday, following reports of a new COVID-19 case in Cross River State.
Mustafa said Lagos has not relaxed its guard, stressing that protocols introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic continue to be enforced in all primary health facilities to curb the spread of infectious diseases.
He noted that while COVID-19 has not completely disappeared, improved vaccination coverage has reduced the severity of infections.
“What has changed is that vaccination has improved immunity, making most infections milder and less likely to result in severe outcomes”, he said.
He credited widespread vaccination and booster doses for strengthening population immunity and reducing transmission rates across communities.
Mustafa, however, disclosed that COVID-19 vaccines are currently out of stock nationwide, adding that the Federal Government is working to secure new supplies.
“We had vaccines before, but they have been exhausted. The government is working to replenish stock, and once available, the public will again have access”, he said.
He explained that IPC protocols, strengthened during the pandemic, have now become routine in healthcare delivery and extend beyond COVID-19 to other infectious diseases.
According to him, key measures include regular hand hygiene, use of alcohol-based sanitisers where running water is unavailable, and mandatory mask use for patients showing respiratory symptoms.
He added that healthcare workers are required to follow strict hygiene practices, including the use of gloves on a per-patient basis and proper disposal after use to prevent cross-contamination.
Mustafa acknowledged the need to strengthen compliance and public awareness, warning that lapses could increase vulnerability to both COVID-19 and other communicable diseases.
He also noted that Nigeria’s high population movement poses a continued risk of disease spread, particularly in Lagos as a major economic hub.
He reiterated the state’s commitment to maintaining strict infection control standards, stressing that preparedness remains key to protecting public health.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) confirmed a new COVID-19 case in Cross River State involving a 53-year-old Chinese national who tested positive after arriving in Nigeria on March 17.
The NCDC said the patient is in stable condition and under care, while all identified contacts are being monitored, adding that there is no evidence of widespread transmission at this time.
