Covid-19: Effia-Nkwanta hospital partially closed after staff test positive

Three units at the Effia-Nkwanta hospital in Sekondi in the Western region have been shutdown after a medical staff tested positive for COVID-19.

These units include the Antenatal Care Unit, ENT department and one other.

Medical Director of the hospital, Dr. Joseph Kojo Tambil, explained the units have been shut for disinfection to prevent a possible spread of the virus.

“Currently, we are disinfecting those two units and every surface, floor, ceiling to make sure that we minimise the risk of anybody coming into contact of any droplets,” he emphasized.

According to him, the infected staff has been put in isolation.

“One of our staff who had mild symptoms got tested and her results came out positive. So we quickly started taking samples of people she works with and since she was working at the Antenatal Clinic, we had to take samples of all the staff. She also spent some time at the ENT Department so we also closed down that department,” he confirmed.

Others who came into contact with the staff member have been directed to self-quarantine. Their samples have also been taken for testing.

Dr. Tambil added, “hopefully we would get the results later today and we would determine the way forward.  Once we get the results then we can determine which staff can work and who cannot”.

Meanwhile, the Industrial Relations Officer for the Western Regional Health Services Workers Union, Jerry Mensah Detse, told Accra-based Citi FM that the region has so far recorded three infections among health personnel.

“As I speak to you, three of our members in the region have tested positive for the COVID-19. Two in Effia-Nkwanta and the Takoradi hospital and it is quite scary,” he said.

He blamed the infections on inadequate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for staff.

The Western region has recorded 61 infections.