Ho overtakes Ketu South as COVID-19 hotspot
The Volta Region has rapidly joined the league of regions with high COVID-19 positive cases, with the Ho Municipality in the lead.
Ho has overtaken the Ketu South Municipality as a hotspot for COVID-19 infections, according to new figures released by the Regional Health Directorate.
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The Volta Region currently has 162 positive cases with the Ho Municipality raking up 62 confirmed cases, followed by Ketu South with 40.
A total of 122 cases are currently on treatment with 37 recoveries.
The new infection figures have set off a new panic button in the municipality, after observations of poor compliance to health protocols against COVID-19.
The Regional Minister, Dr Archibald Yao Letsa, at a recent media engagement expressed grave concern about the figures and stated that “as long as we refuse to comply with the directives, this virus will continue to spread.”
“We pray that our attitudes will change so that we can bring this pandemic under control as soon as possible so that we don’t continue to spend money on these exercises,” he said.
Strategies
Alongside intensified public education on COVID-19 and mass disinfection exercises at various public and private institutions, the Regional Security Council on June 1 instituted a “No mask, no entry” protocol at public places in the region, especially at largely patronised venues which included lorry stations and market centres.
Following the directive, the Ho Municipal Assembly deployed a taskforce to enforce compliance, and also imposed a GH¢20 fine on culprits who flouted the directives.
Enforcement
The taskforce, made up of four police personnel, six from the 66 Artillery Regiment, five from the Ho Prisons Service and other officers from the municipal assembly, the Municipal Information Service Department and the National Commission on Civic Education, is currently patrolling the Ho Municipality to enforce compliance with the mask wearing protocols.
There was a sea of partially covered faces when the Daily Graphic visited the Ho Lorry Terminal and the Central Market last Tuesday. There was also an increased use of handwashing facilities stationed at the exit and entry points of the two venues after members of the task force were sighted at the two areas.
Individuals, mostly passengers, also grabbed the next available nose mask on sale, while the team educated or fined those who were found refusing to abide by the protocols.
A member of the taskforce, Mr Richmond E.Y. Abake, told the Daily Graphic that “people are pretending to wear their masks, but our duty also enjoins us to consolidate awareness creation and education on the pandemic. This is not a money-making venture. They need to understand the magnitude of the consequences of their actions.”
An official of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union in Ho, Mr Lawrence Atitoe, expressed dismay at the low level of public awareness on the pandemic although enough education had been carried out.
Mr Atitoe indicated that a huge section of the public was complacent and ignorant of the seriousness of the pandemic. He said it was unfortunate that most people had gone back to operating with laxity after the task force had exited the lorry station.
The taskforce is, however, expected to review its operations after a week.
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