By: Elorm Aryee
The Volta Regional Public Health Emergency Response Committee has reinforced its response mechanisms to combat a recent surge in COVID-19 infections in the region.
The region has recorded 20 COVID-19 related deaths within the last two weeks and has recorded spikes in the infection rate.
The Volta Regional Deputy Director of Health, in charge of Public Health, Dr. Senanu Djokoto, disclosed that the current data has seen Intensive Care Units (ICU) of health facilities and treatment centres overwhelmed.
Statistics available at the Volta Regional Directorate of Ghana Health Service indicate that cumulatively the Region has recorded 3,971 Covid-19 infections since the Coronavirus was first recorded.
Out of the number of infections, the Region has recorded 50 cumulative deaths related to Covid-19, 20 of which tragically occurred within the last two weeks. Ho, Hohoe, Kpando and Ketu South Municipalities and South Tongu district have been designated as the hotspots.
GBC News checks indicate that apart from corporate organizations like banks and some health facilities where personnel are stationed at their entry points to ensure clients and patients observe the safety protocols, other public places are the opposite.
When GBC News visited the Ho Central Market, for instance, most buyers and sellers embarked on their activities without wearing of nose mask or practicing social distancing protocols.
The Regional Public Health Emergency Response Committee is not happy with the current spikes in the Covid 19 infections in the region.
A member of the Committee who is also the Deputy Volta Regional Director of Health in charge of Public Health, Dr Senanu Kwesi Djokoto attributed the upsurge to non-compliance to safety protocols at public places and gatherings.
The infection rates at health facilities and educational institutions among health workers and students have contributed to the spikes in Covid 19 infections in the region.
Dr. Djokoto noted that infections amongst health workers have been stabilized since they have been trained on infection prevention and control as well as majority receiving the Covid 19 vaccines.
With regards to the situation at educational institutions, Dr Djokoto disclosed that the Regional Public Health Emergency Response Committee took swift measures which have brought the spread of the virus in the affected schools under control.
Some vendors at the Ho Central Market expressed worry about non-adherence to the safety protocols at the market and urged government to extend the deployment of vaccines to market centres for traders to benefit.