The management of the University of Lagos, UNILAG has ordered students of the institution to vacate the campus by 2pm today.

The order was issued after the university said there is an increased number of patients presenting COVID-19-related symptoms at its medical centre.

Confirming the development, students told newsmen that the university authorities had directed them to vacate the campus today and that classes would continue online.

The COVID-19 update issued by the university read, “The University of Lagos Medical Centre wishes to inform all members of the university community about what appears to be the start of a potential third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Lagos State.

Meanwhile, the vice chancellor of the institution Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe has summoned an emergency meeting of the Senate on the third wave of the disease in the school.

The notice of the meeting which is scheduled to be held at the J. F. Ade Ajayi Auditorium is expected to justify the vacation of halls of residence became necessary as well as discuss resumption of virtual lectures.

What you should know

The order on vacation of campus comes just days after the university held its 51st convocation which was postponed last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

It also comes days after 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. 

Lagos state, home to the commercial capital, has been the epicentre of Nigeria's COVID-19 pandemic. It has confirmed 60,366 cases since the outbreak began - nearly 36% of the country's total.

Just 1% of Lagos state residents have received two doses of vaccines against the novel coronavirus.

There are self-isolation requirements for all incoming passengers, and arrivals from red-list countries Brazil, India, South Africa, and Turkey, must quarantine in a government facility.

But the state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu said 15% of Lagos state arrivals from red-list nations had absconded, while authorities could not reach 18% of other incoming passengers.

He warned of sanctions including fines, imprisonment and deportation for rule breakers, and said Lagos state was "exploring all avenues possible" to increase vaccine access.