Coronavirus: Ashanti Region records 38 deaths as Contact Tracers go on strike over slashed stipend

COVID-19 contact tracers in the Ashanti Region have raised concerns over their work, accusing health authorities in the region of neglect as the region has recorded 38 deaths so far.

According to the Service, five more people have died of coronavirus bringing the death tally to 38 in the region alone, accounting to more than half of the national fatalities

The Regional Ghana Health Service is reporting that 117 more people have tested positive for coronavirus in the Ashanti region, 24 hours after its previous update This brings the total number of coronavirus cases recorded in the region to 2,205. Out of this number, 682 of them are active cases.

According to the Coalition of Contact Tracers, health authorities in the region have reduced their stipend from GHS150 per day as announced by the government to GHS70.

They also claim that they lack appropriate Personal Protection Equipment.

“When we go out to pick samples, the only thing they give us is nose masks, hand gloves, and sanitizers. These are the only three things that they give,” leader of the coalition, Dawud Ibrahim said in an interview on otecfmghana.com.