20 Doctors, Nurses test positive for COVID-19 at Effia Nkwanta Hospital

Twenty health workers at the Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital in the Western Region have contracted the novel coronavirus.

Accra-based STARR FM reports that the health service and Directors of the hospital had convened an emergency meeting today to assess the situation.

According to the radio station, the management of the facility were surprised at the increase in the virus among its staff because the hospital authorities have provided all staff with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to ensure their safety.

On May 14, 2020, the Effia Nkwanta Hospital was partially shut down after a medical staff tested positive for COVID-19.

Three units of the facility including the Antenatal Care Unit, the Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) department and another unit has since been shut down for a disinfection exercise to prevent the spread of the virus.

Covid-19: Effia-Nkwanta hospital partially closed after staff test positive

The Medical Director of the hospital, Dr. Joseph Kojo Tambil, said, “currently, we are disinfecting those two units and every surface, floor and ceiling to make sure that we minimize the risk of anybody coming into contact with any droplets.”

In a related incident, the Ashanti Regional Health Directorate revealed that a total of 30 doctors and nurses have also tested positive for the disease.

The Ashanti Regional Health Director, Dr Emmanuel Tenkorang, revealed this at a news conference on Wednesday, April 20.

This brings the total number of reported cases of health workers who have tested positive for the virus to 50 in the country currently.

30 doctors,nurses infected with COVID 19 in the Ashanti Region

“We have a total of 30 health workers, having COVID-19 in the region. Out of the total of 43 districts in the Ashanti Region, 25 districts and municipals have reported COVID-19 cases,” he said.

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According to the Health Director, all the infected health workers were responding to treatment. He, however, added that the region’s epicentre, Obuasi which contributed to about 80% of infections in the Ashanti Region had started recording a decline in its cases.