Coronavirus: Ghana facing emergency health crisis - Mahama

Former President John Dramani Mahama has underscored the need for Ghana to act swiftly to prevent further spread of the deadly coronavirus.

The presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in a Facebook post expressed worry at the threats the virus poses to human life and the nation as a whole.

He referred to the situation in China, Italy and Iran to buttress his point and the need for Ghana to take the steps to prevent the spread of the virus.

"Ghana is facing a very serious public health emergency caused by#COVID-19. We can all see the evidence from other countries - Italy, China, Iran & others- about how significant the threat of this virus is. Ghana has recorded 11 confirmed cases now. We must act to #StopTheSpread.”

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 39.1 ), general malaise, cough and runny nose. Her condition was suspected to be COVID-19.

Blood 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 39.1 ), and cough. The sample tested positive for COVID-19.



Both 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.