NIGERIANS ADVISED TO PREVENT SECOND WAVE OF COVID-19

NIGERIANS ADVISED TO PREVENT SECOND WAVE OF COVID-19

An Obstetrician and Gynaecologist Consultant at the General Hospital, Ijede, Dr. Babatope Oni, has called on all tiers of government and the entire public to prevent a second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Speaking at the monthly Continuous Medical Education (CME) organised by the Ijede General Hospital, Oni stated that the period at which a second wave can occur is when the economy has been fully reopened, such that people engage in their normal day to day activities without taking the usual precautionary measures as they did during the first phase of the pandemic.

In his words, "There is a tendency that a second wave can set in, government at all levels should take a cue from the Spanish Flu of 1918, when its government reopened the economy too early”.

The Consultant asserted that avoiding a second wave of the pandemic implies that government should continue to be honest, open and transparent about the disease and its policies, disseminating information and creating awareness to people at the grassroots while communicating effectively.

He affirmed that taking precautionary measures like wearing of the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) by health workers, washing of hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, observing cough etiquette by sneezing into your elbow and the continuous use of alcohol-based hand sanitisers would help reduce or contain the viral pandemic.

"Should Nigeria face a second wave in an unprepared state, there is a tendency to have more positive cases and unanticipated pressure on the health system", Oni stated.

He urged citizens to dispel myths and misconceptions about COVID-19, while cultivating the habit of eating a healthy, balanced diet that would help build the immune system in order to reduce the spread of the infection.