First Covid-19 Case in Western Region, a Chinese National

The Western Region in Ghana, has recorded its first positive case of the coronavirus after numerous cases tested negative.

The case involved a Chinese national, working at quarrycompany Coastal Quarry located near Anto in the Shama District of the Western Region.

The patient, who is one of six Chinese and 32 Ghanaians working at the quarry company, arrived in Ghana on Saturday, March 21 and was in self-isolation for the mandatory period of 14 days.

A statement from the Western Regional Minister, Kwabena Okyere Darko Mensah, said though he showed no signs and symptoms of the virus, the medical team took his sample for testing on 8 April, 2020 to confirm his status which came out positive.

According to Mr. Okyere Darko Mensah, a combined team of medical and security personnel are currently at the work site for further action.

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He appealed to the public to remain calm and all those who might have come into contact with personnel of the company to cooperate with the medical team for expedited contact tracing in order to curb the spread of the virus.

A total of 566 COVID-19 cases have so far been recorded in Ghana with eight deaths and four recoveries

READ FULL STATEMENT FROM MINISTER BELOW

FROM : HON. REGIONAL MINISTER, WR

TO : ALL MEDIA HOUSES, WR

INFO :  ALL HON. MMDCEs – WR
ALL REGIONAL SECURITY HEADS, WR

REGIONAL DIRECTOR –GHS, WR

DATE    :   13TH APRIL, 2020

SUBJECT : FIRST CONFIRMED CASE OF COVID-19 IN THE WESTERN REGION

The Western Region on Sunday 12th April, 2020 recorded its first confirmed case of COVID-19. The confirmed case in question involves a Chinese foreign national, who arrived in Ghana on Saturday, 21st March, 2020 and was in self-isolation for the mandatory period of 14 days.  Though he showed no symptoms of the virus, the medical team took his sample for testing on 8th April, 2020 to confirm his status; which unfortunately tested positive on the 12th of April, 2020.

The said Chinese is one of six (6) Chinese and 32 Ghanaians working at Coastal Quarry located near Anto in the Shama District. A combined team of medical and security personnel is currently at work at the site.

It is understandable but also regrettable that in times like these, there will be lots of misinformation and false news carried through social media which unfortunately filter into the mainstream media.  It is therefore imperative that the facts concerning any confirmed or suspected case are checked from the Health Authorities before putting it in the public domain.

I am therefore appealing to the public to remain calm, and all those who might have come into contact with personnel of this company, to cooperate with the medical team for expedited contact tracing in order to curb the spread of the virus.

From the lesson learnt (i.e. absence of symptoms of the virus and testing positive after the 14-day isolation period), all MMDCEs and Public Health Emergency Management Committees should ensure that all persons released, without testing, after their 14-day self -isolation or mandatory quarantine at the various places are brought back for testing.

I call on our Chiefs and the good people of the Western Region to remain vigilant and to cooperate with the Health and Security Personnel to ensure that the virus does not get out of hand in the Western Region.

I must add that, all recreational centres are out of bounds to the members of the public in furtherance of the ban on social gatherings.

The security agencies should therefore, be hard on this.

Thank you.

HON. KWABENA OKYERE DARKO-MENSAH (MP)
Western Regional Minister