The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has disclosed that the new surge in COVID-19 cases has seen a record of 1619 active cases with 34 Delta variant also recorded.
In a presser to give an update on the virus, the Director General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr. Patrick Kuma Aboagye indicated that there has been a rise in active cases over the past few weeks.
“We have recorded an average of 80 cases per day and if you look at previously, we were reporting 30 and 24 so that means that there is some slight surge.”
Dr. Kuma Aboagye
He however revealed that the current surge is as a result of some pocket of outbreaks in the country.
Giving an update on the cases so far, the Director of the Ghana Health Service indicated that the nation currently has 96,402 cases with recoveries standing at 93,987. He added that the number of deaths recorded are at 796.
The GHS revealed that the Greater Accra and the Ashanti Region still have the highest rate of infection in the country.
GHS on Achimota COVID-19 cases
Dr. Kuma Aboagye further disclosed that Achimota school currently has an active case of 46 but further revealed that 256 cases have been recorded since school reopened.
He said as at 3rd July, 843 students and staff had been sampled. Out of the samples he revealed that 293 test samples are pending results.
According to Dr. Kuma Aboagye, the first three cases were detected in some students between June 14 and 16 this year.
He explained that the development sparked a mass testing regime in the school. In all, 843 persons in the school, including students and staff were sampled as of July 1, 2021.
“Out of the 550 samples received,135 returned positive. All 135 cases at the time of diagnosis were either asymptomatic or had very mild to moderate illness. One member of staff is among those affected. So far, 89 students have recovered while 46 of the remaining cases are still active.”
Dr. Kuma Aboagye
Dr. Kuma- Aboagye said various health education have been increased with the intervention measures having also been intensified in the country. He added that disinfection of institutions and other places are being done.
Dr. Kumah Abogye on Delta variant
Speaking on the Delta variant, Dr. Kumah- Aboagye disclosed that a total of 1212 genomic sequencing has been done. Additionally, he said the dominant variant is the Alpha strain. However, the Delta strain he revealed has been detected in 34 people.
On the Alpha strain popularly known as the UK variant, a total number of 429 according to the Health Director has been recorded. He said the vaccines have also proven to be effective on the Delta variants.
Touching on the vaccination, the Director General of GHS revealed that 864,918 have had their first dose of vaccines whiles 396,759 have been fully vaccinated. He also indicated that the adherence to the COVID-19 protocols is generally low.
“The non-adherence to the COVID-19 protocols is an issue of concern especially knowing that the delta is in our community. We are urging all that we do not need any further measures. All the measures still work. Wear your mask, observing social distancing and avoiding crowds is very important.”
