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Wa, Ghana – Five of the six new coronavirus cases recorded in the Upper West Region had been in the country for more than three weeks, that is according to the Regional Minister Dr Hafiz Bin Salih.
“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I wish to inform you that of the six (6) new confirmed cases, five of them returned to Ghana over three weeks ago from South Africa, Nigeria, United Kingdom, Germany and Australia.
“In other words, they entered the country before our borders were closed to persons traveling from other countries. The sixth person is an indigenous one. The person returned from the Western Region of Ghana to the Upper West Region”, Dr. Bin Salih made this revelation on Tuesday at a news conference held at the Upper West Regional Coordinating Council.
The Minister also indicated that, the first confirmed case was responding positively to treatment whereas new cases were also being managed by the health authorities and none was in critical condition as at now.
“What really is of huge challenge and concern to all of us is the discrimination and stigma attached to people suspected of having the virus. I wish to use this platform to appeal to all of us to desist from such acts of discrimination and stigmatization, in order to reintegrate persons testified to be freed from the virus into our societies and families.
“Let us view it just as any other diseases; and when one gets cured one is reintegrated into the family or society. It is the scare of being stigmatized that is making people not willing to accept self-isolation and quarantine; but that rather is dangerous to the whole society. Let us be compassionate to them and accept them back to society when such persons get cured”, he urged.
Read below the full statement by the Minister:
PRESS BRIFING ON COVID-19 BY THE UPPER WEST REGIONAL MINISTER, HON. DR. HAFIZ BIN SALIH, ON TUESDAY 14TH APRIL 2020 AT THE RCC CONFERENCE ROOM
Good afternoon Members of the Inky Fraternity!
I have just invited you here to give you an update on the COVID-19 in the region following a crunch meeting I had with the Municipal/District Chief Executives, Regional Health Director and the Municipal/District Directors of Health Services this afternoon.
It would be recalled that on Sunday 12th April, 2020, we heard of the national updates on this pandemic which indicated that the Upper West Region had increased its tally by six (6) more confirmed cases, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the region to seven (7).
This report indeed took us aback because all along we have been reporting of one case. We were happy when the samples of his immediate primary contacts were taken and tested which proved negative. We thought we were being spared only to be shocked by the news of six (6) new confirmed cases.
Unfortunately, I heard criticisms from some quarters in the region, blaming the leadership of the Upper West Region for not being proactive and coming out early to declare these new cases, only for people to hear it first from the national level.
I wish to explain that due to the exigency of the situation now, sample results are announced at the national level by the National Coordination Team through the Ministry of Information press briefing.
It is therefore not a dereliction of duty on the part of leadership of the region in relaying the message timeously to the good people of the Upper West Region. I will continue to commend the Regional Director of Health Services and his Staff for working around the clock, in spite of some challenges, in getting things done at this trying moments in the region.
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I wish to inform you that of the six (6) new confirmed cases, five of them returned to Ghana over three weeks ago from South Africa, Nigeria, United Kingdom, Germany and Australia.
In other words, they entered the country before our borders were closed to persons traveling from other countries. The sixth person is an indigenous one. The person returned from the Western Region of Ghana to the Upper West Region.
Therefore, as at 12th April 2020, these new cases have shot up the Upper West Regional figures as follows:
Total Confirmed Cases – 7
Total Number of Deaths – 0
Total Number of Suspected Cases – 56
Total Number of Samples Collected – 33
Quarantined Travelers – 2
Number of Travelers Screened – 2731
Travelers on Manifest – 14
Let me also use this opportunity to inform you that the first confirmed case is responding positively to treatment. The new cases are also being managed by the health authorities; and none is in critical condition as at now.
What really is of huge challenge and concern to all of us is the discrimination and stigma attached to people suspected of having the virus. I wish to use this platform to appeal to all of us to desist from such acts of discrimination and stigmatization, in order to reintegrate persons testified to be freed from the virus into our societies and families.
Let us view it just as any other diseases; and when one gets cured one is reintegrated into the family or society. It is the scare of being stigmatized that is making people not willing to accept self-isolation and quarantine; but that rather is dangerous to the whole society. Let us be compassionate to them and accept them back to society when such persons get cured.
Ladies and gentlemen, I wish to also indicate that the personal protective equipment (PPEs) that are being supplied will never be adequate because they are used and disposed of. They need to be replenished every now and then as the virus continues to spread. I am therefore still making appeal to all philanthropists to come to the region’s aid with PPEs.
Ladies and gentlemen of the Press, I also wish to indicate that the outbreak of meningitis in the region is quite worrisome. As from 1st January 2020 to 12th April, 2020, the cumulative suspected cases of meningitis stood at 258 of which 40 persons died.
The case fatality rate of meningitis in the region is 15.5%; which is unacceptable. It is reported that about 80% of the deaths was as a result of delay reporting to the health facilities.
I am therefore appealing to all and sundry to report to the nearest health facility whenever one begins experiencing headache, fever and stiffness of neck for immediate attention.
I am happy to announce that the World Health Organization and other donors have sent down the following logistics to help combat meningitis in the region:
• 7500 vials of Ceftriaxone
• 1,100 infusions
• 5 packs (of 10) of Pastorex
• 540 vials of Ceftriaxone from philanthropies.
I am therefore assuring you that there are enough drugs to help manage and treat meningitis cases. However there is no vaccine world-wide for Sero-type X which is currently affecting the people. Meanwhile, a team of experts shall be in the region to help manage the situation.
On this note, I thank you all for honouring this invitation.
By SavannahNewsOnline.Com/Philip Liebs
