Lagos health commissioner, Prof. Abayomi tests negative to Coronavirus

IKEJA, Nigeria – Lagos State Health Commissioner, Professor Akin Abayomi, has tested negative to the Coronavirus pandemic.

This is coming a week after it was announced that Abayomi had tested positive to the virus.

News of the Commissioner’s positive status had been made known in a press statement last Monday, August 24, by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso.

The statement was titled, ‘Press release on the positive COVID-19 status of Lagos Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi’.

It read, “Subsequent to close contact with persons feeling unwell and testing positive for the COVID-19 infection, the Honorable Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, has tested positive for the virus. Professor Abayomi became aware of his status following the required testing protocol of contact tracing procedures.”

However, in a related development today (Monday), Omotosho said, “It is with gratitude to God that I announce the recovery and subsequent negative test for COVID-19 of the Honorable Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi.

“Following the mandatory isolation, the Commissioner retook a COVID-19 PCR test, which returned negative yesterday evening.

“Professor Abayomi is very grateful and humbled by the deep concern shown and expressed by Executive Council members, civil servants, Lagos residents, Nigerians, both locally and in the diaspora, through prayers, messages, phone calls and gifts.

“He will be returning to his full duties gradually and remains resolute in delivering the mandate of Mr. Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, whom he says stood by him steadfastly in these trying times and is very appreciative of.

“Governor Sanwo-Olu, the Incident Commander, is excited by the news and urges Lagosians to  realise that COVID-19 is still with us; they should keep obeying the guidelines- washing their hands, wearing face masks and avoiding large gatherings, among others,” Omotosho said.