Tullow Ghana has confirmed in a statement that two of its subcontractors working on FPSO Kwame Nkrumah and the MV Lancelot vessel have tested positive for the novel coronavirus.
The statement said the two who were suspected to have the virus after showing symptoms were later quarantined and tested by officials from the Ghana Health Service, GHS.
“Tullow Ghana reports that on 21 May, two subcontractors working in the field displayed suspected COVID-19 symptoms and were medically evacuated to a government-approved quarantine facility and tested. Ghana Health Service (GHS) has confirmed initial test results as positive for the COVID-19 virus,” the statement noted.
It further said that “the affected individuals are in good health, but will remain in isolation onshore and will continue to be monitored and tested.”
“Following the positive test results, a team from GHS has commenced contact tracing and testing of personnel on the KNK FPSO and MV Lancelot, in line with established protocols,” the statement noted.
Following precautions to protect the health of workers
The oil company says it is dedicated to obeying all the precautions as advised by the World Health Organisation, WHO and GHS to curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic in their workspace.
“Tullow wishes to assure all stakeholders that the health and safety of our staff, contractors, sub-contractors, and our host communities remain our priority” and “has followed strict quarantine procedures for all personnel working offshore including two weeks of government-approved quarantine. We will be assessing further actions that may be available to reduce the risk of infection”, the company assured.
Meanwhile, Tullow Ghana said the two cases recorded have not affected its oil and gas production at the Jubilee FPSO.
It also added that no case of coronavirus has been recorded at the TEN FPSO.
Ghana’s COVID-19 situation
As at Wednesday, 27 May 2020, Ghana’s COVD-19 case count had risen to 7,117 cases with 2,317 recoveries and 34 deaths.
The Greater Accra Region still has the highest cases with 5,008, followed by the Ashanti and Western Regions with 1,085 and 344 cases respectively.
