COVID-19: NAPO discharged from UGMC

The Minister of Education, Dr. Mathew Opoku Prempeh, NAPO, has been discharged from the University of Ghana Medical Center (UGMC) after testing positive for coronavirus.

A statement issued by the ministry said the minister would now be monitored from home, two weeks after he was admitted at the covid-19 treatment centre.

An earlier statement issued by the ministry said “On Tuesday, 16th June 2020, he underwent various tests, including COVID-19, after feeling unwell for a couple of days.

“He tested negative for the virus, and this informed his decision to travel to his constituency for his acclamation on Saturday, 20th June 2020. Following his return to Accra, he still felt unwell, and decided to check himself for further tests, including the second test for COVID-19”.

But in a latest development, the press secretary to the minister, Rodney Nkrumah Boateng said the minister was discharged with “a positive rapid antibody test result and will be monitored at home”.

NAPO was admitted at the health facility for two weeks after he complained of ill health days after the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) held its primaries to elect parliamentary candidates.

His colleague, the Minister for Regional Integration, Dan Botwe who was also admitted at the facility has been discharged.

The Senior Minister, Yaw Osafo-Maafo is the latest government official to have tested positive for the disease.

Other appointees including the CEO of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr. Lydia Dsane-Selby, and her deputies tested positive for the virus.

Meanwhile, two government officials have died from COVID-19. They are CEO of the Forestry Commission, Kwadwo Owusu Afryie (Sir John), and Mayor for Sekondi-Takoradi.