COVID-19: Ghana records 9th confirmed Coronavirus case

Ghana has recorded two more cases of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), bringing the total number of cases to nine.

The Ghana Health Service (GHS), confirming the case, said it was recorded in the Greater Accra region on Wednesday, March 18, 2020.

In a press statement, the GHS said one of the affected persons was a 56-year-old Ghanaian who returned to Accra from a trip to the United Kingdom (UK) about a week ago.

The other is a 33-year-old Ghanaian who returned to Accra from a conference in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

According to the GHS, both were imported cases, adding that the patients were receiving treatment in isolation.

“We received another report from NMIMR  [Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research] indicating two more confirmed cases from the Greater Accra Region. Both are imported cases. One is a 56-year-old man, a Ghanaian who travelled back to Accra from a trip to UK about a week ago. The other is a 33-year-old Ghanaian who returned to Accra from a conference in UAE. Both cases are receiving treatment in isolation.”

Contact tracing

It said a total of 399 contacts had been identified and were being followed up on for the confirmed cases.

“On contact tracing, a total of 399 contacts have been identified and are being followed up on. Nineteen (19) of the contacts developed some forms of symptoms and samples have been taken for laboratory testing. We have received results for 15 of them which are all negative for COVID-19 and we are awaiting results for four (4) of them.”

It added that the country had so far not recorded any death. "Currently, there is no death and all the nine (9) confirmed COVID-19 cases are being managed in isolation and are responding well to treatment."

Below is a copy of GHS's press statement:

Confirmed Cases Of COVID-19 In Ghana Rises To Nine (9) - 18th MARCH,2020 | 09:00

On 18th March, we received another report form NMIMR indicating two (2) more confirmed cases from the Greater Accra Region. Both are imported cases. One is a 56-year-old man, a Ghanaian who travelled back to Accra from a trip to UK about a week ago. The other is a 33-year-old Ghanaian who returned to Accra from a conference in UAE. Both cases are receiving treatment in isolation.

This brings to a total nine (9) confirmed COVID-19 cases. There is no death. Yesterday, we received notification from KCCR indicating two (2) newly confirmed cases in Kumasi. On contact tracing, a total of 399 contacts have been identified and are being followed up on. Nineteen (19) of the contacts developed some forms of symptoms and samples have been taken for laboratory testing. We have received results for 15 of them which are all negative for COVID-19 and we are awaiting results for four (4) of them.

Currently, there is no death and all the nine (9) confirmed COVID-19 cases are being managed in isolation and are responding well to treatment.