Panic has hit staff of Tullow Ghana after some contract workers reportedly tested positive for COVID-19.

Starr News has gathered that the over 50 contract staff who have contracted the virus live on the contractor support vessel CSV Lancelot that connects directly with the FPSO Kwame Nkrumah.

The cases were confirmed after testing was done among the workers residing on the Lancelot.

Starr News has obtained a recording of a meeting among staff with an official of Tullow calling for calm in the wake of the development.

Tullow in response confirmed the cases of COVID-19 adding that the affected individuals have been brought onshore for isolation and treatment.

Parts of a statement by Tullow read: “Following the report of 2 positive cases of COVID-19 by Tullow Ghana on 26 May 2020, the Ghana Health Service (GHS) confirmed on Thursday 28 May that contact tracing and testing of personnel onboard the Kwame Nkrumah (KNK) FPSO revealed 1 positive case of COVID-19. The affected individual is in good health and has been medically evacuated from the KNK to an onshore isolation facility for monitoring.

“Also as part of contact tracing, GHS tested personnel on board contractor support vessel CSV Lancelot. GHS has confirmed today, that 57 of the 200 personnel onboard the CSV Lancelot tested positive for COVID-19. All affected personnel are being brought onshore for isolation and case management.

Tullow’s immediate concern is for the safety and well-being of personnel and the public, and to minimize any potential for the spread of the virus. Enhanced social distancing is being enforced on both vessels and permanent restriction of movement between CSV Lancelot and KNK is in place.”

Meanwhile, Ghana has so far recorded 7,303 cases of COVID-19 with 2,412 recoveries.

The death toll still stands at 34.

Accra still has the highest number of infections with over 5000 cases with the Ashanti region in a distant second place with a little over 1000 cases.

Count of Cases per Region

Greater Accra Region – 5,148

Ashanti Region – 1,099

Central Region – 360

Western Region – 344

Eastern Region – 117

Western North Region – 62

Volta Region – 59

Northern Region – 36

Oti Region – 26

Upper East Region – 26

Upper West Region – 22

North East Region – 2

Savannah Region – 1

Bono Region – 1