Volta on high alert as COVID-19 surges in neighbouring Eastern region
The Juapong market in the North Tongu District of the Volta Region has been closed down with immediate effect as part of intensified safety measures to prevent the spread of the novel Coronavirus in the region.
Other Municipal and District Assemblies are also being urged to take further steps in enforcing measures to prevent over-crowding on market days at their various markets.
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This was contained in a release by the Volta Regional Minister, Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa following an emergency meeting by the Region’s Public Health Emergency Management Committee on Friday, April 20, 2020, to discuss the rise in COVID-19 cases in neighbouring Eastern Region, which currently stood at 28.
Presently Multi-disciplinary taskforces have been stationed at the various entry points via North Tongu, South Tongu and South Dayi Districts to screen passengers.
The task forces are to ensure that all private and commercial vehicles stick to the prescribed regulations.
“It is strongly recommended that the general public adhere to social distancing in all endeavours especially when boarding vehicles”, it added.
Measures
The Public Health Committee advised “People who have chronic conditions such as hypertension and diabetes to ensure that they take their medications as prescribed by their doctors,” while urging the public to observe the appropriate social distancing, frequently washing hands with soap under running water and to stay home if they do not have any pressing business to attend to outside their homes.
Screening
The Volta Region is yet to record a case of the virus. Various MMDAs are however leaving nothing to chance as they localise measures to forestall the spread of the disease.
Vigorous screening exercises are ongoing at various entry points to the capital, Ho, which included Agbokofe, Adaklu Road, Matse, and Gbable.
A tour of the entry points led by Prosper Pi-Bansah, Ho Municipal Chief Executive showed Emergency Rapid Response Teams made up of personnel from the Police, NADMO and Environmental Health workers screening averagely 300 to 500 passengers at checkpoints on a daily basis, with thousands also being screened at the Matse-Ho entry point.
Mr. Pi-Bansah who was impressed with the level of work and commitment of the Teams said his outfit also donated 40 veronica buckets with a personal donation of 25 additional veronica buckets, 160 hand tissues, 200 litre hand sanitizers, 40 hand washing bowls, 240 liquid soaps, and 40 dustbins procured through the Local government ministry to be distributed to health centers, communities and markets.