The Christian Council of Ghana, has intimated that, they will ensure and would not hesitate the closure of churches as part of efforts to help mitigate the spread of the virus in case government decides to ban all forms of large social gatherings.
Speaking on the current surge and suggestions by the Ghana Medical Association to government to ban all forms of social activities to reduce the recent spike in COVID-19 numbers, the President of the Council, Reverend Dr. Paul Kwabena Boafo disclosed that, the council welcomes the call and is in support of it.
According to him, if the ban on gatherings is the best decision to help fight the spread of the virus, then the churches are ever ready to comply.
Reverend Boafo also indicated that, the churches have complied well with all preventive protocols established in this fight.
“For us as a church, we believe we have adhered strictly to every measure to fight this COVID-19 pandemic and so if the government should go by that measure which is advocated by GMA, the churches will come together and then make an input.
“If it becomes very necessary as it was in the earlier one that there should be a total ban per the data and statistics, then we might go with it but if it will also mean going by the earlier limiting capacity, we would do as such.
“But if it comes than there should be a total ban which affects everybody then the churches cannot be exempted.”
Additionally, he expressed discontent with the situation where the ban will be adhered to by others and disregarded by some.
The Ghana Medical Association (GMA), yesterday called for government, as a matter of urgency, to restrict social gatherings such as church services, parties, funerals, clubs and other forms of social gatherings of such nature to help mitigate the spread of the virus.
Speaking on the spread and the impact of the virus earlier today, January 26, 2021, the General Secretary of the Ghana Medical Association, Dr. Justice Yankson revealed that, observations show a worsening impact of coronavirus on patients.
Although he acknowledged they are yet to establish a scientific basis, Dr. Yankson said the virus was clearly transmitting faster.
“Just based on the empirical evidence, clearly that is where we are. If you come to our health facilities, the way infected persons come now, they are presenting in their worst forms.”
Dr. Yankson also disclosed that, younger persons were being left with worse conditions by the virus.
“You have teenagers coming in, people in their early 20s and what have you. If you look at the balance, it is more of the young people getting infected now. We are seeing 15-year-olds who have lost part of their lungs to COVID-19.”
He further lamented the increasing rate at which doctors and nurses are getting the infection at the workplace.
Currently, Dr. Yankson said work is ongoing to establish the details of the changing situation with the virus in Ghana.
According to the Ghana Health Service report, Ghana’s has recorded 646 new cases pushing the active case count to 3,613. The death rate has reached 372 as five more people have succumbed to the virus.
