The Ghana Health Service has stated that, it is investigating the covid-19 outbreak at the Akosombo International School to get the right figures and then later communicate it to the public.
According to the Director, Health Promotion at the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr Aboagye Dacosta, the GHS also heard in the news that about 40 students including some teachers in the said school had been infected.
He stated that the Disease Surveillance Unit of the GHS is investigating the matter and will soon let the public know the actual facts and figures concerning the matter.
Speaking at the Maiden edition of Atinka TV’s Stakeholders Breakfast Dialogue hosted by Ekourba Gyasi, he said,”The Disease Surveillance Unit of the GHS is investigating the matter and we will soon let the public know the actual facts and figures concerning the matter. We do not want to say anything without facts.”
School outbreak
Speaking on the mapping of hospitals to schools, he said all the schools have a focal person or a Covid ambassador, adding that in case there is an issue in the school, the focal person will communicate it quickly to authorities and link up with the health facility which has been mapped to the school for further actions.
Way Forward
Dr Aboagye Dacosta said that the Service is in talks with the Ministry of Information and the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) to begin a nationwide van education on covid-19 as part of measures to stop the spread of the virus.
According to him, the van announcements will begin from Accra, especially epicenters and run through the other regions across the nation.
He added that, “We are also in talks with the Ministry of Education, NCCE to educate the public. The Van announcement will start from Accra, especially the epicenters and then roll it out in the other regions.”
Listing a number of activities by the GHS to stop the spread of the virus, Dr Aboagye Dacosta said,“We met with the police and the innovation is that if you are not in masks, they will bring you down from the vehicles. They are also going to enforce the adherence of covid-19 protocols.”
He added that,”We have educated the GPTRU and the Ministry of Transport and have told them how to make sure their drivers are adhere properly to the protocols. We have also told them to open their windows to allow ventilation in their vehicles.”
Dr Aboagye Dacosta urged all to adhere to the safety protocols in order to protect themselves and others from contracting the disease.
“We are talking with CSOs’ and NGOs to also educate people in their homes on the protocols. We are going to homes to do house -to -house education. We all have to know that we have to educate others about the covid-19 protocols. If your neighbour is not wearing the mask well, let him or her know that he/she has to wear it well. It is our responsibility to ensure everyone is adhering to the protocols,” he said.
Ghana| Atinkaonline.com| Porcia Oforiwaa Ofori
