Abstract
COVID-19 is an infectious disease, a product of a freshly discovered coronavirus. With no specific cure as of now, preventing its spread is important to minimize its outbreak. The study was carried out on secondary schools in Ijebu-North Local Government Area (LGA), one of the 20 LGAs in Ogun State, Nigeria. Primary data on water availability, supply, connection to buildings, handwashing facility coverage and functionality were sourced from public secondary schools in Ijebu-North LGA with the aid of questionnaires. Findings revealed that only one school (Molusi College, Ijebu-Igbo) is fully equipped with running water connected to buildings and with functional handwashing facilities in place. Most of the schools do not have water infrastructure that can support adequate hygiene, with a score of 16 out of the total 95 available scores. Since regular and thorough washing of hands with soap and water, reduces the chances of being infected by or spreading COVID-19, this study advocates for direct taking over of water infrastructure provided in schools by the Water Agency in the areas where these schools are allocated. This take-over will be for the purpose of routine maintenance for the sustainability of the water infrastructure. Government and other donors should facilitate investments in water, sanitation and hygiene in order to prepare these schools for resumption and sustenance after the health crisis.
Highlights
History has shown that infectious diseases have wreaked havoc among societies, cities and countries of the world
According to the Water Aid Report (2020), one of the most potent ways to minimize the spread of infectious diseases, including COVID-19 is through handwashing with soap and running-water
The study area selected for this research is Ijebu-North Local Government Area (LGA), one of the 20 LGAs in Ogun State, Nigeria
Summary
History has shown that infectious diseases have wreaked havoc among societies, cities and countries of the world. Owens (2020) reported that history of plagues and epidemics dated the pre-historic period from the Circa Disease of 3000 BC to the recent Ebola and Zika Viruses of the 21st century with about four of them (Flu Pandemic: 1889-1890, Asian Flu: 19571958, AIDS Pandemic: 1981 till date, and H1N1 Swine Flu: 2009-2010) declared as pandemic. The world is battling another global pandemic; Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), a new microbe enemy causing significant ill health and death, with no known cure at present (WHO, 2020a). Update as at August 10th, 2020 shows that the world has 20,380,437 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and sadly with about 743,013 deaths (WHO, 2020b). According to the Water Aid Report (2020), one of the most potent ways to minimize the spread of infectious diseases, including COVID-19 is through handwashing with soap and running-water.
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