The Eastern Regional Directorate of the Ghana Health Service has outlined some challenges debilitating against effective handling of covid-19 delta variant cases in the region.
According to the Health Directorate, the region is faced with inadequate personnel protective equipment (PPE), and medical logistics such as ventilators to manage the increasing Covid-19 cases and save lives.
Again, the lack of space in communities for isolation and quarantine of covid -19 is also a worry to the health directorate.
The various Hospitals managing cases are also faced with the challenge of feeding Covid-19 patients in treatment centers and providing other basic support such as toiletries for them.
This was made known during Public Health Emergency Management Committee meeting on COVID-19 at the Eastern Regional Coordinating Council.
Forty (40) new Covid-19 cases recorded in the Eastern region pushed active cases in the region to 191 as of August 8, 2021, according to the Ghana Health Service.
Out of the number, 7 were in critical conditions, 4 in a severe state, 13 in a moderate state while 167 in mild conditions.
The cumulative confirmed cases in the region since the pandemic struck are 5,201 with 4,919 recoveries and discharges, and 91 deaths.
Cumulative Health Workers infected as of August 8, 2021, was 1123-(21.6%)
Cumulative students infected as at same date was also 755 (14.7%).
The high number of infection of health workers have been attributed largely due to inadequate PPEs.
Dr. John Ekow Otoo, the Deputy Director of Public Health, many of the cases were being managed in private homes of the individuals infected due to inadequate bed capacity in various hospitals.
The Eastern Regional Director of Ghana Health Service, Dr. Winfred Ofosu bemoaned the non – adherence to the Covid-19 safety protocols.
The Eastern Regional Minister, Seth Kwame Acheampong called on leaders of Faith-Based Organizations, Traditional authorities, Market Queens, and Transport Organizations to intensify education on their members on the COVID -19 protocols.
He also charged the security personnel to enforce the protocol governing the pandemic to the latter to reduce spread.
The minister expressed concern about nightlife activities in Koforidua and Akropong, where people disregard the safety protocols on COVID-19.
Members of the committee unanimously suggested measures such as periodic fumigation of public places, sensitization programs, and enforcement of the COVID-19 safety protocols to stop the spread of the delta variant in the region.
Source: Mybrytfmonline.com/Obed Ansah
