GMA reiterates call for total lockdown of Ghana to prevent Coronavirus spread
The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has reiterated its call for a nationwide lockdown of Ghana to help prevent the communal spread of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Ghana.
According to the GMA, it has observed with grave concern the increasing trend of confirmed cases for COVID-19 in Ghana and "our national response to this pandemic."
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In a press statement jointly signed and issued by the President of the GMA, Dr Frank Ankobea and the General Secretary, Dr Justice Yankson, on Wednesday, March 25, 2020, the doctors said they were fully conscious of the threat posed by the pandemic.
"The lockdown though not a comfortable decision for leadership and citizens alike is a proven option backed by science and along with the other measures will ultimately be in our best interest."
"We call on all Ghanaians to support such a move [lockdown] in the national interest to save our nation from the devastating effects of this pandemic," the doctors said.
"The GMA being fully conscious of the threat posed by the pandemic, the disturbing trend of community spread and the obvious inadequate of capacity (logistic and human resource) of the nation's health system to deal with the increased numbers of COVID-19 infection especially in the severe to critical cases, call on His Excellency the President of the Republic of Ghana to declare a Nationwide Lockdown with the exception of essential services with immediate effect."
The GMA said: "On this day of national prayer and fasting, we call on all Ghanaians to keep this sacred and intercede for the nation."
3 deaths from Coronavirus in Ghana
Ghana confirmed its third death from the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on Wednesday.
The third death was officially announced at 4:10 pm [Wednesday, March 25, 2020] by the Ghana Health Service (GHS).
Even though details were not provided, Graphic Online understands it occurred at the 37 Military Hospital and involved the wife of a soldier.
The husband of the deceased is also said to have contracted the Coronavirus disease and currently receiving treatment in isolation.
The couple are said to have not travelled abroad for some time now and therefore suspected to have contracted the virus through a communal spread.
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Situation Update, Confirmed Covid-19 Cases In Ghana As At 25 March 2020, 16:00 Hr
The sudden spike in case incidence is as a result of the mandatory quarantine and compulsory testing for all travelers entering Ghana, as directed by the president.
Overall, 30 of the 68 cases have been reported in the general population with the remaining 38 cases among persons currently under mandatory quarantine.
As of 25 March, total of 1,030 persons are under mandatory quarantine; samples from 863 of them have been tested and 38 confirmed positive.
Great majority of the confirmed cases are Ghanaians, who returned home from affected countries. Seven (7) are of other nationalities namely: Norway, Lebanon, China and UK.
In respect of contact tracing, a total of 829 contacts have been identified and are being tracked. Total of 860 contacts have been enlisted and being tracked.
One hundred and sixty-one (161) have completed the 14 days of mandatory follow up.
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