The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has raised concerns about the surge in COVID-19 cases in recent times, especially with the omicron variant.
In a statement by the Association, it stated that the situation, if not checked will further weaken the already fragile health system as it poses an existential threat to the health of all persons living in the country.
“This escalation in cases is likely driven by the Omicron variant of the SARS-COV-2 virus which is highly proving to be more transmissible than the hitherto dreaded Delta variant which dominated our third wave of COVID-19″.
GMA
The GMA noted that there is a worrying development of mass gathering at events and celebrations to mark the Christmas and New Year festivities. This, it indicated, will cause a growth in infection within the populace.
GMA therefore entreated Ghanaians to visit health facilities to get tested if they have any headaches, extreme fatigue, fever and other flu-like symptoms and as much as possible desist from self-medication, especially for unproven malaria.
It then urged government to restrict social activities such as funerals, parties and weddings ahead of the Yuletide. The Association also called for an urgent scale-up of COVID-19 testing and contact tracing for all positive cases as well as strict isolation and management of all infected persons to help break the chain of transmission.
“Failure to do this may have dire consequences for all of us come the year 2022. The Ministry of Health/Ghana Health Service and the National Commission for Civic Education should re-launch and intensify COVID-19 education.”
GMA
The GMA entreated all to take their personal safety into their own hands by adhering strictly to the protocols.
Government to administer booster jabs
Earlier, the Presidential Advisor on Health, Dr. Nsiah-Asare, disclosed that government is considering administering booster jabs to targeted groups in the country in a bid to lessen COVID-19 fatalities.
Speaking on the initiative, Dr. Nsiah-Asare noted that the move is to lessen the impact of the virus as the booster dose for the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine helps improve the protection one has from taking the first two doses of the vaccine.
“We are doing a lot of work in our research. Genome sequencing is going on and we know that the majority of strains in the country is now turning to be Omicron and that is the nature of omicron. The most important thing we are doing is to rump up our vaccination so that a lot of people could be vaccinated and we have few people who are vulnerable in our society”.
Dr. Nsiah-Asare
Dr. Nsiah-Asare intimated that government is considering and thinking of giving the vulnerable people and people who are at the forefront of the fight a booster dose. He, however, indicated that the move is still under consideration.
“The most important thing is that we are now moving into the festivities, the virus moves where people are and we are now advising everybody that if you want to have an event, it should be done outdoor”.
Dr. Nsiah-Asare
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