The Kwara State branch of the Nigeria Medical Association has said that people should avoid paying unnecessary visits or consultations to hospitals to minimise the spread of the coronavirus pandemic .

It said 35 doctors had so far been tested positive for COVID – 19 since the virus manifested in the state .

Dr Kolade Solagberu , NMA Chairman , disclosed this while briefing newsmen in Ilorin on events heralding the association ’ s 2020 Annual General Meeting .

Solagberu , however , noted that the association had not recorded any casualty among its members.

He cautioned residents to disregard the beliefs that COVID- 19 was not real and was only a money – making avenue for the government .

” Residents should help the doctors to help them by not paying unnecessary visits or consultations to hospitals.

” For now , people should avoid visiting the hospital except for life- threatening issues .

” We advise people to engage in e -health service instead of physical consultation to avoid contact as much as possible .

” People should stop unnecessary visits to patients in the hospital . Those who follow a patient waiting to be attended to , are not encouraged for now.

” You should just help us to help you because the less the number of patients we attend to , the less the chances of spreading the virus .

” This is because every patient is a potential COVID- 19 case , ” he said .

NAN