Ghana: Coronavirus cases increases to 11

Ghana's Coronavirus confirmed cases has increased to 11. One of the two new cases involves a 61-year-old Lebanese male national, who is a trader and resident in Kumasi.

All two additional victims are in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region of Ghana.

One of the infected persons is a 59-year-old Ghanaian woman resident in the United Kingdom who recently returned to Ghana and currently living in Kumasi. 

With the case of the Lebanese, the Ghana Health Service (GHS) indicated that he is a resident of Kumasi.

The GHS did not mention that the 61-year-old male trader travelled into the country with the disease.

He felt unwell and reported to a health facility with fever (temp 39.4oC), and cough and the sample tested positive for COVID-19, the GHS statement said.

Below is a copy of the update from the Ghana Health Service (GHS)

Confirmed Cases Of COVID-19 In Ghana Rises To Eleven (11) As At 19 March 2020 - 15:00GMT

On 19 March 2020, we received notification from KCCR indicating two (2) newly confirmed cases in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region.

• The first is a 59-year-old Ghanaian woman, resident in the United Kingdom who recently returned to Ghana and currently living in Kumasi, reported to a private hospital with the history of fever (temp of 39.1oC), general malaise, cough and runny nose. Her condition was suspected to be COVID-19. Sample was subsequently collected and sent to KCCR and the report was received this early morning as positive for COVID-19.

• The second case is a 61-year-old Lebanese male trader and resident in Kumasi. He felt unwell and reported to a health facility with fever (temp 39.4oC), and cough. The sample tested positive for COVID-19.

• Both case patients are being managed in isolation and responding to treatment.

So far the confirmed cases in Ghana are from Turkey, Norway, Germany, France, United States of America, United Kingdom (UK) and United Arab Emirates (UAE).

With regards to contact tracing, a total of 399 contacts have been identified and are being followed up. Nineteen (19) of the contacts developed some forms of symptoms and samples were taken for laboratory testing.

We have received laboratory results for 15 of them which are all negative for COVID-19 and we are awaiting results for the four (4) others. Contact identification and tracking for the newly confirmed cases have just started.

Writer's email: enoch.frimpong@graphic.com.gh 

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