GHS appeals for PPEs as results for 373 suspected covid-19 cases pend

The Eastern Regional Health Directorate is appealing for more Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) as results for some suspected Coronavirus in the region pends.

According to the Directorate, limited quantities of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) received are distributed by the Regional Medical Stores to health facilities as and when they become available from Headquarters.

The Health Directorate acknowledges that many health facilities have received donations of various logistics from their Municipal and District Chief Executives and Members of Parliament and other benevolent organizations but are not enough, therefore “imploring individuals and groups, co-operate bodies etc to support this fight against COVID-19 by donating in cash or kind such as PPEs, ventilators, beds, mattresses, infusion pumps, fuel, sanitizers etc to the Regional Health Directorate to support the work our teams are doing across the region and also to support the setting up of a 100-bed COVID-19 Treatment Centre in the Region”.

This was contained in a statement issued Thursday, April 9, 2020 by the Regional Health Director, Dr Mrs Alberta Adjaben Biritwum Nyarko providing an update on the pandemic in the region.

According to the statement, the Regional Health Directorate has submitted a total of 373 samples of suspected Coronavirus cases to Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research awaiting results.

Out of the number, 244 samples were taken from contacts connected to Indian expatriate who tested positive of Covid-19 in Lower Manya Krobo Municipality. Three are also persons who had contact with a person tested Positive in the Upper East Region.

“The region has one (1) confirmed COVID- 19 case which was imported. The case was confirmed on 31st March, 2020. The confirmed case is in stable condition and responding to treatment. He is being managed successfully at home under strict isolation. The total number of contacts linked to the confirmed case and successfully traced are 244. They are all monitored daily. Their samples have been sent to Noguchi for testing as required by the enhanced surveillance protocol. We await the results”.

The statement added “There are 3 other contacts we have traced and are following up on who are linked to the confirmed case in Upper East Region. They are also doing well. Their samples have also been sent and we await results. Cumulative samples we have taken and submitted total 373?.

The statement said health workers in the region are being trained in batches.

Communication materials are also being distributed to all health facilities across the region including private facilities. Case management and contact tracing teams are being supported in the field by the Security agencies and the collaboration has been excellent.

The Regional Health Directorate is however worried about lack of physical or social distancing across the region, especially in commercial areas.