COVID-19 second wave: Medical experts alert Nigerians on implications of careless living, dangerous times ahead

Worried by the number of rising cases and Coronavirus (COVID-19) related deaths, concerned medical experts on Wednesday warned Nigerians on the seriousness of the pandemic which is now in its in second wave across the world.

Prof. Chris Bode, Chief Medical Director (CMD), Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, Lagos, on Wednesday said COVID-19 second wave was ravaging our land and claiming many lives.

Bode, who made the assertion at a news conference in Lagos, said: “The resurgence of COVID-19, through the newly mutated form, is ravaging our land, claiming many lives.

“Unlike what we witnessed in the first wave, this one is even more easily transmitted and deadlier too.

“It is, therefore, imperative for everyone, first and foremost, accept that COVID-19 pandemic is not over, and we must prepare to confront it all over again.

“What we see on the streets, worship centres and social interactions, parties and daily activities call for concern.

“In a period when the `enemy’ has doubled back and is attacking us ferociously, we seem to be celebrating a false victory and denying the danger is still around us.

“We need to observe all the basic rules we have been following all along and wake up to the present reality.’’

The chief medical director, however, advised the public to shelve all forms of social engagement, for now, no parties, churches, mosques, meetings. Tell yourself it was better to stay alive.

“Wash your hands frequently and before you touch the face, eyes and mouth.

“Wear face mask obligatory (most important), maintain a social distance of at least six feet away from others where you must be with anyone.

“Do not hold face-to-face meetings with others, go virtual for now; if you love your aged relations, insist on these tenets for now. Do not go visiting them until the pandemic goes away.

“We have seen an upsurge in the number of people who keep treating ‘malaria’ instead of going for the COVID test.

“Many such then start using all sorts of steam inhalation and home remedies for their cough and chest congestion.

“It is not helpful to do this, especially if you are also diabetic, hypertensive or with a number of other health baggage or above the age of 60,” Bode advised.

In his warning message, Dr. Adedamola Dada,  Medical Director, Federal Medical Centre, FMC Ebute Metta said: “In the last few weeks, the second wave of Covid creeped on us again and it appears we are dealing now with a more transmittable and even more deadly disease. Several of our compatriots including health workers have succumbed to this deadly disease. Our Prayers and thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones.

We can however still change the narratives for those who are alive simply by obeying the Covid guidelines clearly and regularly communicated by the FMOH, PTF and NCDC and those includes wearing of face masks, avoiding large crowds or celebrations, avoiding physical meetings, ensuring colleagues at work and staff at home also obey the instructions, washing our hands all the time and sanitizing with alcohol based agents where it’s not possible to wash hands and of course presenting to the hospitals early if you are exposed or feeling unwell. Every “malaria feelings” now and *cough must be investigated for Covid. Steam inhalation, Aboliki and methyl salicylates application are not treatments for Covid infection and they are also not preventive!
Eating garlic, turmeric or all such things do not prevent or treat the conditions. You have a far better chance of beating the Virus when you present early and the diagnosis and therefore treatment is instituted very early!
It’s also not just a disease of the rich as some erroneously believe!…It’s a disease that affect every one- rich or poor, old or young.
Despite the very tough times we face presently with this condition- We can begin to turn the tide only if we all start following the guidelines today; if we dont- then the situation would get worse and very unfortunately, we may loose more of our loved ones! We all must work to prevent this!
We also must not give in to panic- Let’s just all simply follow the guidelines and our country would turn this around. We turned it around working together during the first wave and if we work together again, we will turn the 2nd wave around…but you must do your part and follow those simple guidelines especially the wearing of facemasks and avoidance of any gathering whatsoever.

Our health system and health workers are under incredible strain as more and more very ill patient present to our hospitals- We very urgently need to help the health workers cope better by reducing the number of infections and therefore patients they see. We need to help the system.This will only happen when we all obey the Covid guidelines and collectively work to reduce the number of infections.

The Vaccines will soon be here and the government is working hard to bring those Vaccines into our country as soon as possible, however, it’s only those who are alive that would benefit from it. Please, obey the covid guidelines and stay alive. The country need you and your family also need you.”

Commenting, the Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC), Prof. Wasiu Adeyemo, said everyone taught that the pandemic was over.

Adeyemo said that there were periods in November that the hospital had zero admittance in its wards.

“We planned to move to a smaller place, which we actually did, but had to come back to our 120 beds facilities; we never shut down the centre.

“We did not only witnessed increased numbers, but the severity also increased.

“Before now, we are not talking about vaccine, but about myths that COVID-19 was not real,” he said.

Adeyemo appealed to the media to enlighten the public, in terms of conspiracy theory noting that it was important we all keep to the rules and help each other.

Also, Dr Iorhen Akase, Head, Infectious Disease Unit, said that the hospital observed increased mild cases in the first wave, pointing out that the second wave was severe.

Akase said most of the cases in the first wave occurred in the elderly and morbidity, but the second wave had cases among 20 years old patients.

He said that as long as the new infections kept coming, a time would reach when hospitals could no longer admit any patient.

In her remarks, Mrs Esther Imafidon, Head, Nursing Theatre Services, reiterated that the media should enlighten the public about the second wave of COVID-19.