At least 304 new coronavirus cases have been confirmed by the Ghana Health Service (GHS) pushing the country’s active cases to 3,466.
The death toll has hit 817 after two additional fatalities were recorded across the country, an update on the GHS COVID-19 dashboard reveals.
As at 17 July 2021, Ghana’s total confirmed cases stand at 99,734. Currently, health officials have recorded 95,451 recoveries. So far, 26 persons are in severe condition while 15 remain critical, according to GHS. Cases detected at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) are 2,031 with 1,882 recoveries.
Breakdown of regional cases:
Greater Accra Region – 54,569
Ashanti Region – 17,210
Western Region – 5,991
Eastern Region – 4,572
Central Region – 3,565
Volta Region – 2,704
Northern Region – 1,661
Bono Region – 1,507
Bono East Region – 1,481
Upper East Region – 1,323
Western North Region – 935
Ahafo Region – 847
Upper West Region – 500
Oti Region – 475
North East Region – 231
Savannah Region – 132
Government must tighten restrictions
Meanwhile, Samuel Arthur, a community health advocate, is pushing for the tightening of COVID-19 restrictions to help contain the spread of the viral disease in Ghana.
His call reflects rising fears that the country may experience a third wave of the novel coronavirus, following the recent increase in active cases.
Speaking on Think Tank with Karen Dodoo Antwi on Asaase Radio, Arthur said: “Only a couple of weeks ago, I know Accra Hearts of Oak and Kumasi Asante Kotoko had a match … Apparently this is the time when this new variant had showed up.
“Now if the variant is that deadly – and from what we are hearing the variant is such that the kind of vaccines we are receiving will not be able to deal adequately with it – then I find it a bit more disturbing why we don’t want to tighten the restrictions and ensure that these protocols actually are adhered to.”
Arthur added: “If the stadiums are opened, funerals are happening, people are congregating, people are meeting, and unfortunately most people are not adhering to the protocols … we want to place our fortunes on luck and luck will not work in this case.”
The community health advocate said the continuous flouting of the COVID-19 protocols at various social gatherings across Ghana calls for a rethink of the approach in tackling the viral disease.
Fred Dzakpata
Asaase Radio 99.5 – tune in or log on to broadcasts online
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