The Lagos state government has predicted that COVID-19 cases in the state may rise to 120, 000 by July 2020.

The state Commissioner for Health, Akin Abayomi, disclosed this when he spoke at a press conference earlier today May 8.

According to the Commissioner, the increase in the number of cases being recorded in the state in recent times was as a result of the decentralization of sample collections to the 20 local governments, adding that if the government had not put machinery in place, the situation would have been worse.

The commissioner added that without being proactive, Lagos would have by now recorded 6,000 cases rather than the 1,491 cases it has now. According to the Commissioner, Alimosho, Oshodi, and Isolo areas in the state have started witnessing increased cases of the viral disease.

He, however, noted that 97% of positive cases at its isolation centers were mild and moderate cases, while only three percent were severe cases.

The Commissioner also disclosed that the state government is to begin hydroxychloroquine trials in the next one week.