Former President Jerry John Rawlings says the venom of Covid-19 has not lessened and those who underestimate it are doing so at their own peril.

“Fellow citizens, it does not appear that we can afford the comfort of thinking the COVID-19 virus has gone weak or lessened its grip,” he said in a statement issued on Thursday, July 2.

“It is there and very much around waiting to infect and claim the lives of those of us who will underestimate its danger.”

The former president cited how several weeks ago the death of the wife of a senior medical doctor at the 37 Military Hospital became the first “shocking” wake-up call that coronavirus was “real and deadly”.

He said since then the virus has claimed the lives of public officers like Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, the Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission, while others are battling for their lives.

“A foreign doctor based in Ashaiman has also recently succumbed to the disease,” he cited.

The former president observed that there is always a limit to what authorities can do in situations like this.

“A lot more depends on our very personal discipline and mindfulness.”

He, therefore, admonished Ghanaians to “wake up” and be disciplined particularly at voter registration centres, where safety protocols have been flagrantly disregarded.

“There are too many gatherings that ignore Covid-19 preventive protocols,” he noted.

“As we go through the process of voter registration, let us not let down our guard. It may be our last mistake. Let’s wear our masks, maintain appropriate social distancing, basic cough etiquettes and proper hand and general hygiene protocols.”