BY DAYO ADESULU
After the reported cases of COVID-19 cases at the University of Lagos, UNILAG, its management has ordered the immediate shut down of all student hostels to avoid further spread of the virus.
Students were subsequently directed to vacate their halls of residence within twenty-four hours with all their belongings.
The development occasioned UNILAG to resolved in virtual learning withen the effect from 26th July 2021 to round off the semester. Below is the release by the UNILAG Director of Student Affairs.
He titled, ‘Important Notice: Immediate Closure Of Hostels To Check The Spread Of COVID-19 On-Campus”
“To check the spread of COVID-19 on campus, the University Senate has directed that all students vacate the halls of residence latest by 12.00 noon on Thursday, July 15, 2021.
”No access will be granted to any student after 12.00 noon on 15 July. The hostels will be locked indefinitely therefore students are advised to move all their personal effects at once. Lectures for the rest of the semester will be delivered virtually with effect from July 26, 2021.”
The decision to shut down the hotels and sent students home is not unconnected to the earlier statement by its management that the university’s medical centre recorded an increase in the number of patients with COVID-19 symptoms.
It also confirmed that the institution is being affected by a potential third wave of coronavirus in a ‘COVID-19 pandemic update’ published on the university’s website on Tuesday.
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.
READ ALSO: ASUP Lampoons FG For Appointing 5 Unqualified Lecturers As Rectors
“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.”
