Eastern Region records 15 new COVID-19 cases

The Eastern Regional Directorate of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) has confirmed 15 new cases of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the region.

The 15 new cases were confirmed on Thursday, April 9th, 2020, according to a document seen by Graphic Online’s Eastern Regional correspondent, George Folley.

This brings the total number of COVID-19 cases in the Eastern Region to 16.

They are all Indian nationals and have been quarantined.

The first case was confirmed on March 31, 2020 and it was recorded at AFCON camp B, a site for workers of the railway company constructing the Tema -Akosombo railway line.

According to the document, all the 16 affected patients have been quarantined.

In addition to that, suspected cases in the Eastern Region have increased to 73.

A total number of 257 people have been identified through contact tracing. 

The document seen by Graphic Online was authorised by Dr Mrs Alberta Biritwum-Nyarko, the Eastern Regional Director of Health Services, her deputy, Dr Albert Antobre-Boateng and Richard Essien.

It explained that the 15 new cases were among the 244 quarantined workers of AfCON B in the lower Manya Krobo Municipality.

As of now, (April 9, 2020), there is no report of infection outside the camp.

The document said the first case was confirmed on March 31, 2020 and it involved an Indian national and a worker of the railway company who had just returned to Ghana after spending holidays outside Ghana.

The new 15 cases were confirmed on April 9, 2020.

The document said the cases were recorded in New Juaben South, Nsawam-Adoagyiri, Ayensuano, Atiwa West, Suhum, and Lower Manya Krobo.

The samples from the suspected cases have been submitted to the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research for testing.

Challenges 

The document stated that the Ghana Health Service will continue with steps initiated for the containment of the disease in the AFCON camp B.

Efforts

Efforts by Graphic Online to contact the Eastern Regional Director of GHS proved futile.

However, her deputy, according to our correspondent rudely refused to talk and said,  "I'm on field".

Regional Minister

The Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Eric Kwakye Darfour however confirmed the cases to Graphic Online and said Ghanaian workers of the company were also being examined.

MCE

The Municipal Chief Executive of Lower Manya, Mr Simon Kweku Tetteh, allayed the fears of the people in the area and urged them to follow the protocols as directed by the government.