Health workers deployed for contact-tracing in Tema

The Tema Metropolitan Health Directorate has deployed eight contact tracing teams to interact with residents and possibly test those who would be identified as suspects.

The health teams have so far successfully traced 41 out of the 46 contacts who have been tested.

The Tema Regional Director of Health Service, Dr Sally Quartey who was briefing the media on the COVID-19 situation in the metropolis further indicated that three foreign nationals who entered the Tema Metropolis during the lockdown period have had their samples tested by the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR),

Dr Quartey explained that two out of the three persons who showed symptoms have tested negative while the result of the other persons was pending.

Currently, the Tema Metropolis has recorded one active case of COVID-19 who is responding to treatment, while the treatment centre is managing two other cases.

She appealed to the corporate organisations operating in Tema and the generous individuals to come to their aid with enough personal protection equipment (PPE) to enable them to effectively handle suspected COVID-19 cases without fear of contracting the virus.

Isolation Centres

The Metropolitan Chief Executive for Tema, Mr Felix Nii Mensah Anang-La said the Assembly has directed that existing Community-Based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds and other available hostel facilities should be assessed and if found suitable should be converted into temporary holding bays for isolation of patients for testing.

He said since the first case was reported in Ghana, the Assembly in collaboration with Market Queens, Transport Operators, Faith Based Organisations, and the Tema Traditional have embarked on a COVID-19 sensitisation programme in the metropolis to help prevent the spread of the disease to the area.

He said sanitary items such as veronica buckets, soaps have been distributed and people educated on how to observe the social distance protocol, wash hands regularly under running water with soap, use alcohol-based hand sanitisers and cover the nose and mouth with tissue when coughing and sneezing.

Vulnerable Group

The MCE reiterated an appeal to the business community and religious group in the Industrial city to donate personal protective equipment to support in the fight against the pandemic.

He noted that although compliance levels to the restriction orders issued by the president in the Tema Metropolis has been generally high, there have been pockets of challenges within the densely populated communities such as Tema Manhean, sites one, two, 20, and a few other suburbs in communities seven, and eight.

The MCE said the security agencies have taken steps to address these challenges and enforce the lockdown and movement of people.

He said Tema though an urban community is home to a number of slum dwellers who throng the Port City in search of jobs.

The MCE therefore appealed to all business institution, public and faith base organisations to support the assembly fend for such vulnerable people in the metropolis.

Writer’s email: benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh