The Western Region on Thursday, April 2 recorded eight new cases of the novel coronavirus disease, all sent to the laboratory for testing.

The Effia-Kwesimentsim Municipal Assembly (EKMA) alone has recorded three suspected cases.

Municipal Health Director Joyce Bagyina explained that two of the cases have tested negative and are awaiting the result on the third case, which sample was sent to Noguchi Memorial Institute of Medical Research (NMIMR) over the weekend.

Ms Bagyina said all three persons had a travel history to affected countries but had come to Ghana months before the outbreak.

“One of them was said to have come from Germany. But when we interviewed him, the last time he came back was actually 17th December and had even stayed in Ivory Coast for about six weeks before even coming in. He accepted and we took his sample but it came back negative. The second person also came from one of the affected countries and he himself called the National line. So, they called the region and we went to pick the sample and it also came out negative. He was actually in self-quarantine. The third one [Malian trader at Market Circle] came to the Kwesimentsim hospital on Saturday. We are waiting for the results.”

She stated that since the outbreak of the disease, the municipal health directorate has had to investigate several calls on suspected cases.

“We get calls almost everyday to go and investigate rumours of people coming in. But when you get there, the suspects are people who have come back over two months ago from UK and others and have been in the community for a very long time. We still will go and investigate anyway to ascertain the facts. So far it is only one case that fits the case description. We took samples for investigation and it came back negative.”

Measures

The Municipal Health Director said there is a monitoring team moving round various workplaces, chop bars and markets to sensitize and promote hand and respiratory hygiene.

“We have discussions on commercial and community radios. We also have a van moving from one community to the other educating residents on the dos and don’ts in this period.”

The Kwesimentsim Government Hospital has a holding bay that has the capacity to host three cases.

Joyce Bagyina revealed the municipal situation when the Member of Parliament for Effia, Joseph Cudjoe, presented 100 pieces of 220 liters Veronica Buckets and items valued at GH¢50,000 to the Municipal Health Directorate.

Other items presented were 100 Veronica drum tables, 100 waste water buckets, 300 5-liter bottles of liquid soap, 500 boxes of tissue paper and 3000 pieces of hand sanitizers.

Presenting the items on behalf of the MP, Effia NPP Constituency Secretary Philip Nyarko said there is a plan to replace the liquid soap, tissue papers and hand sanitizers when they run out.

“Apart from what we are giving to the Municipal Health Directorate, we will also be donating same to all transport terminals, taxi ranks, markets, eateries and other places where people will gather or go to for their daily needs. So, all communities in the constituency will benefit from this gesture.”

Regional situation

As at April 2, 2020, the Western Region has 41 suspected Covid-19 cases. Twenty-eight of them have tested negative.

Results of the remaining 13 are pending. Eight of the suspected cases are new and were recorded today (April 2, 2020).

Samples of the new cases have been sent for investigations.

Sekondi-Takoradi, Tarkwa et al

In the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis, there are nine suspected cases. Seven have tested negative with two results pending.

In the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal Assembly, all 10 suspected cases have tested negative.

Two suspected cases in the Wassa Amenfi West District have also tested negative.

Ellembelle and Prestea-Huni Valley have recorded one suspected case each and have tested negative.