Correspondence from Western Region

The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Ellembelle in the Western Region, Mr. Kwasi Bonzoh has given details about the Coronavirus patients in the district.

So far, the Ellembelle District has recorded two positive cases of the deadly Coronavirus.

The District recorded the two cases of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on Monday, May 4, and Thursday, May 7, 2020, respectively.

In a statement, the DCE who is also the Chairman of the Ellembelle District Public Health Emergency Committee stated that the first case was a 48-year-old Ghanaian male from the District.

"The 1st case is a 48-year old Ghanaian male, resident in the District. He returned from Accra, after a short visit to his family. He returned alone in his private car to Ellembelle District on 21st April, 2020", the statement read.

"The 2nd case who returned from Takoradi on Monday 27th April, 2020 is 44-year old Ghanaian also resident in the District", the statement added.

The statement said, "The 1st and 2nd cases were made to self-quarantine on their arrival in line with COVID-19 protocols currently being implemented by the Ellembelle District Health Directorate and their employers while their samples were taken for testing on 24th April and 29th April, 2020 respectively".

The statement, therefore, disclosed that 26 contacts have been traced so far, adding that 15 out of the contacts are under self-quarantine with the daily follow-ups by the team the Ellembelle District Health Directorate.

"Seventeen (17) and Nine (9) contacts relating to the 1st and 2nd cases respectively have so far been traced. Out of which, fifteen (15) of the contacts in both cases who are residents of Ellembelle are under self-quarantine with daily follow-ups by a team from the Ellembelle District Health Directorate", the statement noted.

Read the full statement below

UPDATE ON COVID-19 CASE IN ELLEMBELLE DISTRICT

The Ellembelle District recorded its 1st and 2nd confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Monday 4th May and Thursday 7th May, 2020 respectively.

The 1st case is a 48-year old Ghanaian male, resident in the District. He returned from Accra, after a short visit to his family. He returned alone in his private car to Ellembelle District on 21st April, 2020. The 2nd case who returned from Takoradi on Monday 27th April, 2020 is 44-year old Ghanaian also resident in the District.

The 1st and 2nd cases were made to self-quarantine on their arrival in line with COVID-19 protocols currently being implemented by the Ellembelle District Health Directorate and their employers while their samples were taken for testing on 24th April and 29th April, 2020 respectively.

Both results were positive and the patients are asymptomatic with normal body temperature.

Seventeen (17) and Nine (9) contacts relating to the 1st and 2nd cases respectively have so far been traced. Out of which, fifteen (15) of the contacts in both cases who are residents of Ellembelle are under self-quarantine with daily follow-ups by a team from the Ellembelle District Health Directorate. Their samples have all been taken for testing. The remaining nine (9) and two (2) contacts traced in the 1st and 2nd cases respectively are non-residents of Ellembelle and their details have been sent to the relevant authorities for appropriate action to be taken.

While waiting for the results of the samples sent for testing, the following actions and protocols are being enforced by our COVID-19 team.

1. Daily follow-ups on patients and contacts traced in both cases

2. Intensified community sensitization and education on COVID-19 with emphasis on the avoidance of stigmatisation associated with the disease.

3. Extensive tracing of people who might have come into contact with both patients.

In order to combat and contain the spread of this highly contagious disease in the District, we have also identified and currently preparing a suitable facility to be used as a back-up isolation and treatment center in the event of we recording multiple cases beyond the capacity of our current designated isolation ward at the St. Martins de Porres Catholic Hospital in Eikwe.

Finally, we wish to urge all residents of the District to remain calm and continue to strictly adhere to all protocols and directives currently being implemented in this fight against COVID-19 including but not limited to social distancing, frequently washing of hands with soap under running water, wearing of nose masks at all times and staying at home as much as possible.

Thank you.

SIGNED!

HON. KWASI BONZOH

DISTRICT CHIEF EXECUTIVE, ELLEMBELLE DISTRICT