Twenty-three (23) out of 24 samples of clinically suspected cases of Covid-19 in the Eastern Region have tested negative, according to the Eastern Regional Directorate of Ghana Health Service’s latest update dated March 29, 2020.
The number is out of a total of 27 clinically suspected cases recorded in the region.
Meanwhile, four (4) contacts have been traced out of which three(3) samples collected yet to be tested, the other has returned to Accra.
The Regional Health Directorate is also tracking 32 returnees out of which sample of two identified have been taken but yet to be tested.
Ghana has recorded 152 confirmed cases of coronavirus with five (5) fatalities as of March 29, 2020.
President of Ghana Akufo-Addo on Friday night of March 27, 2020, announced partial lockdown of the Nation’s Capital-Accra and Parts of Ashanti Region as an enhanced measure to prevent increasing community spread having closed down all Borders -Land, sea and Air space.
The lockdown takes effect Monday dawn with essential workers exempted from the two weeks lockdown. This has led to a panic exodus of migrants in the affected areas to their hometowns and villages.
The Municipal Chief Executive for New Juaben South Isaac Appaw Gyasi and the New Juaben Traditional Council has expressed worry over the panic movement of people from Areas to be locked down, to Koforidua.
Among the people fleeing to Koforidua are Students of Koforidua Technical University and All Nations University. Whilst others have reportedly returned to their private hostels, others are perching with their school mates who are residents.
This worrying phenomenon compelled the New Juaben Traditional Council and the Municipal Assembly to hold a joint press conference on Saturday.
The Municipal Chief Executive for New Juaben South, Isaac Appaw Gyasi explained that “I’ve received a lot of calls prompting me about an influx of travelers from Kumasi, Accra, Kasoa and other cities to Koforidua. As the Municipal Chief Executive, I was alarmed by this strange panic movement”.
He added “I’m pleading with people from the affected cities not to panic and move around as counseled by His Excellency the President. Let’s support the extraordinary leadership qualities exhibited by the President and abide by all the protocols he has put in place. Ghana, under the able leadership of our President, shall pull through this pandemic, COVID-19 successfully”.
Meanwhile, the MCE has hinted plans to meet various transport Unions, Security agencies and all other major stakeholders to help address this worrying phenomenon to help avert the spread of coronavirus to the Regional Capital.
The Gyasehene of New Juaben Traditional Area, Nana Twumasi Dakwah, on his part, admonished all those fleeing to New Juaben to return to their places of abode.
Source: Mybrytfmonline/Obed Ansah
