Assin Manso residents demonstrate against use of Assin Manso SHS as quarantine centre

Residents of Assin Manso in the Assin South district of the Central region at the weekend held a demonstration over rumours that the Senior High School in the community, Assin Manso SHS, was to be used as quarantine centre for COVID-19 case contacts.

The protestors, mostly youth clad in red, chanted songs rejecting the use of the school's facilities as a quarantine centre.

Road blocks

They blocked some roads in the community, holding the flow of traffic.

The protestors cut tree trunks and blocked the entrance of Assin Manso SHS.

They said it was disturbing that after schools in Cape Coast had rejected the decision, schools in the district were being considered for quarantine centres, saying they would reject any such attempt.

Rumours debunked

However, the Deputy Director, Public health for the Central Region, Dr Kwabena Sarpong debunked the rumours that the schools were to be used as regional isolation centres.

"This is not true. We have not designated any school in Assin South as regional isolation centres," he said. 

He expressed worry over the reaction of the public to the consideration of some institutions as quarantine centres.

He said it was worrying that people would vehemently react to the use of institutions as isolation centres.

"We will meet on all issues relating to the quarantines centres but the reactions are interesting. Those demonstrating if they are found positive where would they want to be quarantined," he queried.

Cooperate to help contain spread

Dr Sarpong advised the communities in the region to cooperate with authorities as they work to contain the spread of the virus.