Akin Abayomi: Lagos Health Commissioner is COVID-19 positive

The Commissioner for Health in Lagos State, Prof Akin Abayomi, has tested positive for the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on New Media, Jubril Gawat, broke the news on his Twitter page.

“The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Abayomi, has tested positive for the coronavirus. He is doing well. No symptoms .. will begin 14 days self-isolation and home care immediately... continues to discharge his duty as Deputy Incident Commander,” Gawat shared.

Abayomi has been front and center as Nigeria battles the pandemic. He is often pictured with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, providing updates and outlining safety and health protocols for a city of more than 20 million inhabitants.

Lagos state Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Right) and Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi in an isolation center [Twitter/@akinabayomi] Pulse Nigeria

Abayomi says; "With utmost sense of responsibility, I am obliged to make it known to the general public that I have tested positive to #COVID19. Consequently, I have proceeded on a 14 days self- isolation and treatment at home.

"Nevertheless, I remain committed to continue to discharge my duties as the Commissioner for Health and Deputy Incident Commander for #COVID19 responses in Lagos State.

"I am extremely enthusiastic and hopeful of overcoming this phase of our collective fight against #COVID19.

"I have the full support of the Incident Commander and Governor of Lagos State @jidesanwoolu, the entire Cabinet of the Government of Lagos State as well as my team @LSMOH to put this behind as soon as possible.

"I wish to however assure you all that my family members and I are fine and are responding positively to treatment.

"Let's us continue to #Maskup and maintain #PhysicalDistancing as well as other established protocols for #COVID19 prevention as appropriate."

Nigeria's most populous city of Lagos is the epicenter of the country's COVID-19 outbreak with 17, 894 of Nigeria’s current recorded tally of 52, 227.

Abayomi joins Chief Press Secretary Gboyega Akosile, as one of the high profile COVID-19 cases in Sanwo-olu’s team.

Akosile has made a full recovery from the virus.