Ghana records highest COVID-19 infections in the last four months
Ghana has recorded the highest COVID-19 infections in the last four months.
This was after the latest data provided by the Ghana Health Service (GHS) showed that the country had recorded 658 new cases, bringing the active cases to 2, 413.
This is the highest since October 2020 when the country’s active case count stood at 298.
In January 2021, Ghana begun to see a more than 350 per cent increase in its cases.
On January 8, active cases soared to 1, 330, raising pockets of concerns among health professionals.
But latest statistics provided by the GHS has revealed alarming figures of the deadly virus.
Some health professionals attributed the increase in active cases to the 2020 political campaigns and the Christmas festivities.
These assertions were, however, debunked by the Director-General of the GHS, Dr. Patrick Kumah-Aboagye, and the Minister for Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah.
President Akufo-Addo also said the GHS update during the electioneering campaign period rather showed figures had reduced.
They said there was no evidence to back the claims that huge public gatherings such as the campaigns, where people flouted the COVID-19 protocols served as a trigger for active cases.
Following the recent surge in active cases, President Akufo-Addo ordered the police to be strict in enforcing the COVID-19 laws which are aimed at insulating people from contracting the virus.
In his 22nd address, the president charged the police to wage war against the indiscipline that has characterized the vicious disease which has collapsed economies and brought down some of the most sophisticated healthcare systems in the developed world.
” I have instructed the Inspector General of Police to direct officers, men and women of the Police Service to ensure the rigorous enforcement of the law on mask-wearing at all public places and in public transport,” President Nana Akufo-Addo said in his latest COVID-19 update to the nation.
With most pubs and beaches in business under the guise of operating restaurants, the President wants the laws passed in April that barred beaches, pubs, cinemas and night clubs from operating to bite.
“They[security services] are also to ensure the closure of all night clubs, pubs, cinemas and beaches that may be operating in defiance of the law. They will be assisted by the other security agencies if need be,” he said.
So far, 361 people have been lost to COVID-19 in Ghana with several others battling for their lives in ICUs and treatment centres.