Government’s coronavirus fight effective – Dr Okoe-Boye

Deputy Minister for Health, Dr Bernard Okoe-Boye, has dispelled the notion that a surge in Ghana’s case count of COVID-19 translates to the failure of authorities to contain the spread of the disease.

According to the newly sworn-in government appointee, President Akufo-Addo’s effective approach of testing, tracing and treatment of patients has helped slow down the rate of infection which stands at three per cent of the country’s population.

Although as at the 16th May 2020 Ghana’s COVID-19 positive cases stood at 5,638 Dr Okoe-Boye at a ceremony to officially receive some PPE and medical supplies donated to the Ghana Health Service by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration indicated that “Our infection rate is significantly low. So far, we stand about 3 per cent average. It means when one person with COVID comes into contact with 100 people out of the 100, about three can test positive. When you go elsewhere, they are doing between 10 to 15 in most countries in Europe and North America.”

He added that “Now we are doing about 5,500, I've heard people say but why are the numbers going up? The more numbers we get, the lower the risk in the population because anyone who is positive is isolated and taken out. And so, it's just like having a school compound with only two snakes identified but you are safer now”

Dr Okoe-Boye also mentioned that many health systems across Africa and the world are getting overwhelmed as a result of conducting fewer tests adding that “The reason is simple; if you don't go after a virus, the virus will come to you and so, so far, I think this approach is one that is very effective and other countries are being encouraged to go that way”.