COVID: 85 Schools in Ashanti Region Record Delta Variant

Some 85 schools in the Ashanti Region have recorded cases of the new Delta variant of the COVID-19 virus, health officials have announced.

Addressing the media on Monday 26 July 2021, the Ghana Health Service (GHS) Regional Head, Dr Emmanuel Tenkorang disclosed that at least 356 new cases have been recorded in 85 schools.

The development, according to him, is a  result of blatant disregard for safety protocols on the various campuses.

“A total of 1,135 active cases have been recorded in the region” he noted.

He also warned that treatment centres will be overwhelmed if safety protocols are not enforced.

Third-wave

Ghana is at the brink of an “alarming” third wave of coronavirus infections as a result of the highly transmissible Delta variant.

“It appears that, unfortunately, our nation is experiencing a third wave of COVID-19 infections”, Mr Akufo-Addo said while delivering his 26th address to the nation.

He said the increase in infection rates in recent weeks, has led to a rise in hospitalization and ICU bed uptakes, and in worst cases, deaths.

He noted that the entire development is very alarming, especially as, “we are being told by officials of the Ghana Health Service, that the recovery rate is on the decline.”

Data published by the Ghana Health Service suggest that as of July 23, the number of active cases was 4,521. The total case count is 101,170 with some 96,759 discharges/recoveries.

“Our daily infection rate for the past week is three hundred and fifty (350) cases, and, sadly, forty (40) more people have died from COVID over the last ten (10) weeks, bringing the cumulative number of deaths to eight hundred and twenty-three (823) since the onset of the pandemic,” the President stressed.

He, therefore, urged Ghanaians is adhere strictly to the Covid-19 protocols, explaining that, the country, “cannot afford to return to the days of partial lockdowns, which brought considerable hardships and difficulties for all of us.”