University of Lagos (Unilag) may result to shutting student hostels, return to virtual learning as school records increase in the number of covid-19 cases.
According to the management of the university’s medical centre in a ‘COVID-19 pandemic update’ published on the university’s website on Tuesday, it confirmed that the institution is being affected by a potential third wave of coronavirus as the number of patients with COVID-19 symptoms increased.
The statement read, “The University of Lagos Medical Centre wishes to inform all members of the University of Lagos Community about what appears to be the start of a potential 3rd wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Lagos State.
“The Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in his press statement issued on July 11, 2021, stated that since the beginning of July there has been a steep increase in the number of daily confirmed cases, with the test positivity rate going from 1.1% at the end of June 2021, to its current rate of 6.6% as at the 8th of July 2021. This is with a concurrent increase in the occupancy rate at Lagos State isolation centres.
“The University of Lagos community has also been affected by this potential 3rd wave, with an increase in the number of patients presented to the University of Lagos Medical Centre with flu-like symptoms which are similar to COVID-19.
“The Medical Centre hereby assures all members of the University community, that all necessary actions in line with the Federal and Lagos State Government guidelines have been taken regarding this potential threat in our community.
“The Medical Centre will also return to providing EMERGENCY ONLY SERVICES during this period, in order to protect all members of the community from potential infection within the facility. The Medical Centre Emergency Contact line: 09095879781 remains open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
“Despite this threat to the return of normalcy, pursuit of education and daily livelihood, it has become imperative once more to judiciously adhere to the following COVID-19 guidelines and protocols in order to curb the spread of this disease.”
Following this, reports have it that the Senate of the institution have summoned a meeting to take a decision on the COVID-19 situation in the school, on whether or not hostels should be shut and if physical classes should continue.
However, some of the students have been reported to have left the hostels even before the decision of the school.