Western Regional Minister discloses identity of coronavirus patient in the region

The Western Regional Minister, Mr. Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah has said that the patient with the confirmed case of Coronavirus in the region is a Chinese national.

On Sunday, April 12, 2020, the Region recorded its first confirmed case of Coronavirus.

In press release issued and signed by the Western Regional Minister, he stated that, "The Western Region on Sunday 12th April, 2020 recorded its first confirmed case of COVID-19. The confirmed case in question involves a Chinese foreign national, who arrived in Ghana on Saturday 21st March, 2020 and was in self-isolation for the mandatory period of 14 days".

"Though he showed no symptoms of the virus, the medical team took his sample for testing on 8th April, 2020 to confirm his status; which unfortunately tested positive on the 12th of April, 2020", he added.

According to him, the said Chinese national is one of six Chinese nationals and 32 Ghanaians working at Coastal Quarry suited at Anto in the Shama District.

"A combined team of medical and security personnel is currently at work at the site", he said.

He, therefore fumed, "It is understandable but also regrettable that in times like these, there will be lots of misinformation and false news carried through social media which unfortunately filter into the mainstream media. It is therefore imperative that the facts concerning any confirmed or suspected case are checked from the Health Authorities before putting it in the public domain".

The Regional Minister who is also the Chairman of the Western Regional Security Council has appealed to the residents in the area to remain calm and promised to expedite action to trace the contacts of the victim.

"I am therefore appealing to the public to remain calm, and all those who might have come into contact with personnel of this company, to cooperate with the medical team for expedited contact tracing in order to curb the spread of the virus".

Below is the full statement

REGIONAL DIRECTOR –GHS, WR

DATE : 13TH APRIL, 2020

SUBJECT : FIRST CONFIRMED CASE OF COVID-19 IN THE WESTERN REGION

The Western Region on Sunday 12th April, 2020 recorded its first confirmed case of COVID-19. The confirmed case in question involves a Chinese foreign national, who arrived in Ghana on Saturday 21st March, 2020 and was in self-isolation for the mandatory period of 14 days. Though he showed no symptoms of the virus, the medical team took his sample for testing on 8th April, 2020 to confirm his status; which unfortunately tested positive on the 12th of April, 2020.

The said Chinese is one of six (6) Chinese and 32 Ghanaians working at Coastal Quarry located near Anto in the Shama District. A combined team of medical and security personnel is currently at work at the site.

It is understandable but also regrettable that in times like these, there will be lots of misinformation and false news carried through social media which unfortunately filter into the mainstream media. It is therefore imperative that the facts concerning any confirmed or suspected case are checked from the Health Authorities before putting it in the public domain.

I am therefore appealing to the public to remain calm, and all those who might have come into contact with personnel of this company, to cooperate with the medical team for expedited contact tracing in order to curb the spread of the virus.

From the lesson learnt (i.e. absence of symptoms of the virus and testing positive after the 14-day isolation period), all MMDCEs and Public Health Emergency Management Committees should ensure that all persons released, without testing, after their 14-day self -isolation or mandatory quarantine at the various places are brought back for testing.

I call on our Chiefs and the good people of the Western Region to remain vigilant and to cooperate with the Health and Security Personnel to ensure that the virus does not get out of hand in the Western Region.

I must add that, all recreational centres are out of bounds to the members of the public in furtherance of the ban on social gatherings.

The security agencies should therefore, be hard on this.

Thank you.

HON. KWABENA OKYERE DARKO-MENSAH (MP)

Western Regional Minister