The Lagos State Government has projected that before the end of January, the demand for oxygen by coronavirus patients will increase 5 times to 750 of 6-litre cylinder daily.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu gave the projection at Lagos House, Ikeja, on Tuesday while addressing State House Correspondents on the management of the second wave of COVID-19 in the state.
According to the governor, the rising second wave of the pandemic in Lagos has seen the demand for oxygen rise 5 times from 70 six-litre cylinders per day to 350 six-litre cylinders at Yaba Mainland Hospital alone.
He also urged that all malaria-like symptoms should henceforth be considered as COVID-19 virus infection unless and until proven not to be so.
“This is projected to more than double to 750 6-litre cylinders before the end of January 2021.
“In addition to providing oxygen at our isolation centres, the Lagos State Government has decentralised the availability of oxygen across the state through the provision of 10 Oxygen and Sampling Kiosks.
“Oxygen therapy and other related services will be provided to patients that require them.
“Five of these 10 centres have been commissioned, while the remaining five will be ready for use within the next four weeks.
“It is our expectation that these sampling kiosks would be easily accessible to residents that require oxygen therapy at the level of Local Government Areas (LGAs) as stabilisation points prior to onward transmission to our isolation centres if required,” the governor said.
The Governor said that Lagos is closely monitoring plans by the FG to acquire vaccines and said the State has also resumed discussion with potential manufacturers. He also said the State is building its own regulatory framework for vaccine distribution.
“We are closely monitoring ongoing action by the Federal Government to procure COVID-19 vaccines for use in Nigeria. We have also opened discussions with vaccine manufacturers so that when the vaccine comes eventually we can ensure that Lagosians are catered for.
“In the meantime, we are developing a strategy that will articulate the criteria, guidelines and regulatory framework for providing and monitoring vaccinations in Lagos.
“The Lagos State Government is actively partnering with the private sector in the management of the COVID-19 pandemic, in the areas of testing, oxygen deployment, as well as the clinical management of moderate to severe cases. These partnerships have helped enhance the State’s response to the ever-changing circumstances of the pandemic,” Sanwo-Olu added.
