Cases Of New  Delta Variant Soars In Ghana - Ghana Health Service Blows Alarm

Cases of new transmissible coronavirus (COVID-19) delta variants are at a high rate in the country for which the Achimota Senior High School students in the Greater Accra Region are on the lead.

According to the GHS, various research conducted by the institutions such as NMIMR, WACBIP and UHAS has shown that a community spread of the COVID-19 Delta strain is known to have a higher transmission rate in Ghana.

Statistics reveal that about one hundred and thirty-five (135) students of Achimota Senior High School have tested positive for the new Delta Variant, the frightening situation which according to GHS, has sparked a mass testing regime in the school.

The Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr Patrick Kuma Aboagye disclosed this at a press briefing in Accra on Sunday to outdate the country's cases.

According to him, the first three cases were detected in some students between June 14, 2021, and June 16, 2021.

In all, Dr Aboagye disclosed that 843 persons in the school, including students and staff, were sampled as of July 1, 2021.

According to him, out of the 550 samples received, 135 returned positive, he said.

“All 135 cases at the time of diagnosis were either asymptomatic or had very mild to moderate illness. One member of staff is among those affected” he said.

So far,  he mentioned that 89 students have recovered while 46 of the remaining cases are still active, the GES Director-General added.

Meanwhile, the Ghana Health Service and the Ghana Education Service say measures are being put in place to improve health education in the institution. This includes the enforcement of Infection Prevention and Control protocols on campus.

Dr Aboagye revealed that a total of 1,212 Covid-19 samples sequenced countrywide since July 1 have also shown the dominance of the Alpha variant.

 Freeman Koryekpor Awlesu Greater Accra Regional Correspondent