Eastern Region confirms 15 new cases of coronavirus

The Eastern Region Health Director has confirmed fifteen more cases of coronavirus in the region, 11 days after it recorded its first case.

Graphic Online attributes the confirmed cases to a document it said was authored by the region’s Director of Health Services, Dr. Mrs Alberta Biritwum-Nyarko, who said the 15 additional cases were among the 244 quarantined workers of AfCON B, a site for workers of a railway company constructing the Tema -Mpakadan railway line, in the Lower Manya Krobo Municipality.

The same camp recorded the region’s first case—an Indian. All the suspected cases are also said to be Indians, who are currently under quarantine.

“The document said the first case was confirmed on  March 31, 2020, involving an Indian worker of the company who had just returned to Ghana after spending holidays outside the country.

There is, however, no confirmed infection outside the camp.

Suspected cases in the region have increased to 73 with a total number of 257 people identified through contact tracing.

“The document said the number of cases have been reported from New Juaben South, Nsawam-Adoagyiri, Ayensuano, Atiwa West, Suhum, and Lower Manya Krobo have been submitted to the Nungochi Memorial Institute for Medical Research confirmation,” the portal said.

Regional Minister

The Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Eric Kwakye Darfour confirmed the story and said Ghanaian workers of the company were also being examined.

MCE

The Municipal Chief Executive of Lower Manya, Mr Simon Kweku Tetteh, allayed the fears of the people and urged them to follow the protocols as directed by the government.

Meanwhile, the Ghana Health Service has stated that it would take steps to contain the outbreak in the AFCON Camp B.

The Eastern Region came under intense scrutiny in March when the National Identification Authority continued its Ghana Card registration in the region despite concerns that it could lead to the spread of the virus in the region.

It took court action to temporarily halt the registration process. Although a High Court gave the NIA the green light, it decided to suspend the registration because of the coronavirus spread.

NIA announces indefinite suspension of registration exercise despite court greenlight

 

Court gives NIA green light to continue mass registration exercise