The Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, on Wednesday, said that government is contemplating the review relaxation window for the period of the extended lockdown as announced by President Muhammadu Buhari.
The Ogun State Government, had on Tuesday, announced the suspension of the lockdown relaxation window, by Friday 17th of April, and urged the people of the state to stock up their homes with foods and other essential needs.
The governor in a statement said, “However, the Government is reviewing the current window to enable citizens and residents restock on food items and conduct essential businesses during the period of the extended lockdown announced by President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday.”
The governor added that his administration had purchased a molecular laboratory, as part of its efforts at flattening the curve of coronavirus pandemic.
“A molecular laboratory test is essential in the checks for certain genes, proteins, or other molecules in a sample of tissue, blood, or other body fluid and central in the detection and treatment of coronavirus.
“According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), there are five laboratories in the country with a capacity to test for COVID 19 in the country, located in Lagos (2), Ede in Osun State, Edo and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Ogun will be the first State to set up its independent laboratory for the diagnosis of coronavirus,” the govenor added.
Abiodun said the molecular laboratory would be unveiled during the period of the lockdown at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, (OOUTH), Sagamu.
He said the newly established laboratory would minimise the test turn-around time which currently is between 3 – 5 days and fast-track the treatment of positive cases.
It will be recalled that Governor Abiodun, while declaring two Isolation Centres in the State, promised to establish a biomedical laboratory to test suspected cases in the state without taking the test to Lagos, Ede or Abuja.