The number of reported cases of the COVID-19 is steadily increasing in four municipalities and a district in the Bono East Region. Dr. Fred Adomako Boateng, the Regional Director of Health Services has disclosed that the region has recorded a total number of 788 positive cases so far.
He said these recorded cases are from the Atebubu-Amantin, Techiman South, Kintampo North, and Nkoranza South Municipalities and the Pru West District in the region. He stated that 14 persons have lost their lives to the virus in the region while 98 percent of the affected patients had however recovered.
Speaking at the maiden meeting of the Bono East Regional Coordinating Council, held in Techiman, Dr. Boateng said 56 percent of the cases were reported among men and 44 percent among women. He sadly revealed that about 292 front-line health workers in the region had also contracted the virus in their line of duty.
He further explained that the majority of deaths were among persons 65 years and above who had underlying health factors. Dr. Boateng emphasised the need for every Ghanaian, especially natives of the Bono East region to observe the COVID-19 safety protocols as it is the only panacea to stop the rapid spread of the virus until there is an accredited commercial vaccine.
He stressed that as the world is still waiting for a vaccine, Ghanaians should all do their part in the collective fight against the coronavirus.
Borrowing the words of the President, he said, most Ghanaians have let down their guards while the virus still lingers on.
He lamented that the washing of hands with soap under running water, the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers, and the wearing of nose masks and face shields have seen a dip; this he said is the reason for the raising numbers members his region and the nation are seeing.
President Akufo Addo in his 20th address on the measures adopted to stop the spread of the virus last Sunday, December 20, 2020, admonished the nation to ensure strict adherence to the COVID-19 safety protocols even as the festive season beckons.
The Chairperson of the COVID-19 trust fund, Justice (Rtd) Sophia Akufo, in recent days has also cautioned Ghanaians to stay safe in this Christmas season.
“We now have Christmas around; we have already gone through elections with people breathing over each other, only goodness knows what is going to happen to the spikes.”
Vaccine
Hope is being restored in countries like the US where the virus hit really hard, as the world moves closer and closer in getting a globally accepted COVID-19 vaccine.
Earlier this week, the President-Elect of the United States, Joe Biden took a dose of the Pfizer Vaccine on live television. He did this to alley fear in the US public about the efficacy of the vaccine.
After his shot, Mr. Biden said “I’m doing this to demonstrate that people should be prepared when it’s available to take the vaccine. There is nothing to worry about.”
The US is said to start distribution of the vaccine soon.
President Akufo Addo has also assured Ghanaians that the nation will not be left out in accessing the COVID-19 vaccine as and when it is approved.
