Forty-five health workers in the Central Region have reportedly tested positive for the Coronavirus pandemic, The Chronicle has gathered.
The Cape Coast Metropolis and the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem Municipality are the two main leading epicentres where these cases have been recorded.
Dr Kwabena Sarpong, Deputy Regional Health Director in charge of Public Health, confirmed this to The Chronicle via telephone yesterday.
According to Dr Sarpong, about eight of the confirmed cases were those involved in “Contact Tracing”, as well as those who lead in the management and treatment of infected persons.
Sources of infection
It is suspected that thirty-seven of the confirmed cases among the health workers were contracted in line of duty from carriers who did not show any sign or symptoms.
There is also a high possibility that they might have been infected through communal infections just the same way as ordinary citizens. “Health workers also live in communities, go to the same market places, and board the same vehicles with members of the society, therefore, they might have been infected through communal spread,” Dr Sarpong explained.
Dangers associated with health workers getting infected
The rate at which health workers in the country are getting infected by the pandemic possess a serious threat. Asymptomatic health workers who do not exhibit any signs or symptoms of the virus are likely to infect a lot more people who may come into contact with them.
Safeguarding health workers against Covid-19
Dr Kwabena Sarpong described as disturbing and worrying the rate at which health workers were getting infected with the virus. “It is quite disturbing, and is not something that we can rejoice over,” he said, adding, “We have engaged with facility managers to take the necessary steps to protect their staff. We have also tasked all district directors and institutional heads to ensure strict adherence and compliance with all protocols.”
His advice to health workers
Dr Sarpong advised health workers to take their destinies into their own hands and exercise a high sense of personal responsibility and protect themselves.
Available statistics from the Ghana Heath Service indicate that the Central Region is the third leading region in terms of the Covid-19 spread in the country. What is more worrying about this phenomenon is the rate at which health workers are also getting infected.
The post 45 heaalth workers test positive for Covid-19 in Central Region appeared first on The Chronicle Online.
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