Eastern Regional Hospital denies coronavirus cases

The management of the Eastern Regional Hospital in Koforidua has denied a viral reportage on social media which says two coronavirus cases have been detected at the health facility.

According to the hospital in a statement, the public should treat the reports as fake emphatically stating that ‘the news is false and should not be taken seriously.”

The hospital has therefore assured all measures have been put in place to ensure that its numerous patrons and caregivers are protected.

Meanwhile, three Ghanaians have lost their lives to the COVID-19 pandemic the Foreign Minister, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, has announced.

According to the minister, two of them were confirmed dead in Italy while one passed away in Denmark after being infected with the virus.

About Coronavirus

Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV).

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a new strain that was discovered in 2019 and has not been previously identified in humans.

Coronaviruses are zoonotic, meaning they are transmitted between animals and people. Detailed investigations found that SARS-CoV was transmitted from civet cats to humans and MERS-CoV from dromedary camels to humans. Several known coronaviruses are circulating in animals that have not yet infected humans.

Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.

Standard recommendations to prevent infection spread include regular hand washing, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, thoroughly cooking meat and eggs. Avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing.