Coronavirus Update: Ghana’s Case Count Hits 1,550

Confirmed cases of coronavirus in Ghana have increased to 1,550 according to the Ghana Health Service.

According to the current update, there are now 11 deaths and 154 recoveries.

Per the update, one more person has died while 21 additional recoveries have been confirmed.

Some of the new cases were confirmed in the Oti, Greater Accra, Ashanti and the Central regions.

Out of the 271 new cases reported, about 75 of them were detected through routine surveillance while 196 were found positive through the enhanced contact tracing exercise.

Over 100,000 tests 

The latest figures come out of a total of 100,622 tests completed by the various testing centres across the country including the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research and the Kumasi Center for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine.

Mandatory Facemasks Wearing

The Minister of Health by the Public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851) has directed the wearing of face masks by all and sundry to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

Section 170(1) of the Act clothes the Minister with powers to order an individual to take a preventive measure in respect of public health matters.

In pursuant to this, the Director General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, issued a statement on Saturday, April 25 directing the wearing of face masks “in all public places where it may be difficult to maintain social distancing”.

“The general public is encouraged to wear mask or face covering when going out whether sick or not or attending to a sick person,” the statement urged.

“Incorrect use of the face mask carries a high risk of infection.”

Citizens have been advised to clean hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based sanitizer before putting on a mask. They must ensure that the mask fully covers the mouth and nose with no gaps between the face and the mask.

“Avoid touching the mask after you have worn it,” it directed.

In removing the mask, the finger must be used by passing it through the loop behind one ear as a touch of the front of the mask is prohibited.

Special kinds of masks have been recommended.

“Homemade masks with strings to be tied behind the neck or head are not encouraged,” Dr Kuma-Aboagye stated.