Coronavirus update: All 15 suspected cases in Ghana negative - Minister

Health authorities in Ghana have explained that the country has as of Wednesday, February 12, 2020 encountered 15 suspected cases of coronavirus but they have all proven to be negative.

The Ministry of Health has therefore given the assurance that recording 15 suspected cases of coronavirus in Ghana should not call for panic.

To them, although the virus was very contagious the situation is not a matter of life and death because the suspects have not shown severest of symptoms,

In a press statement signed and issued by the Minister of Health, Mr Kwaku Agyemang Manu on Wednesday to update the public, it was explained that samples have been taken from all of them and sent to the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research for tests and results have been negative

“We further wish to reassure the nation that our preparations in terms of emergency preparedness response and surveillance have been heightened and proven to be effective and efficient.”

Below is a copy of the press statement 

The Ministry of Health once again wishes to brief the general public and provide updates in respect to developments on the Novel Coronavirus infection as promised in the last press release.

We further wish to reassure the nation that our preparations in terms of emergency preparedness response and surveillance have been heightened and proven to be effective and efficient.

As a country, we have encountered 15 suspected cases as of today. Samples have been taken from all of them and sent to the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research for tests and results have been negative

Key stakeholder engagements have been extensive and we have met all regional directors of health services, chief executive officers of the Teaching Hospitals, and reviewed their preparedness for emergency response following our alert to them and the Ministry is satisfied with preparations made across the regions so far.

Disease surveillance within the country and at the points of entry has been heightened, as we work in collaboration with the Ghana Immigration Service and other Port Authorities.

Our prevention and control mechanisms cut across strengthening Surveillance internally and at Points of Entry, Case Management, Risk Communication and Social Mobilization, Coordination, Laboratory testing and Logistics support.

We are in constant engagement with Ghana's ambassador in China as well as the Chinese authorities through their ambassador in Ghana. Information reaching us indicates that so far not a single Ghanaian in China or elsewhere on the globe has been affected.

I. We once again wish to reassure Ghanaians, especially parents and relatives of Ghanaians and in particular Ghanaians in Wuhan city and entire Hubei Province that our citizens are in good hands and are being taken care of. The Ghana embassy in China is in constant engagement with them and have been constantly updating us of events.

We are working in collaboration with the World Health Organisation, West African Health Organisation, US Centres for Disease Control and other Development Partners, discussing and reviewing our strategies day by day. So far, all advice through consultations and engagements is not encouraging us to undertake mass evacuation as yet because of the following:

1. Sub regional consultation- the West African Health Organisation is engaging member states and has not recommended evacuation yet

2. Public Health principles in outbreak situations.
A11 these notwithstanding, we are reviewing the situation by the hour and when it becomes necessary, we will tow the next line of action as appropriate, including evacuation.

The Government of Ghana is much concerned about our citizens in China especially the Ghanaian students, and is working to ensure their protection, safety and wellbeing as we continue to supply basic needs.

We want to assure the public that, as per the management of all outbreaks which is a dynamic activity, we will continue to monitor the situation and act as appropriate

We will further wish to advise Ghanaians to delay non-essential travels to China.