Kumasi, May 13, GNA – The Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) has affirmed its resolve not to relent in regular testing of the staff, especially frontline workers as part of measures to contain the spread of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) disease.
Two staff of the Hospital, whose identity remained protected, have recently tested positive to the coronavirus, and the cases were detected through the routine testing of the staff.
Dr. Oheneba Owusu Danso, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), said the infected staff had been quarantined for treatment, while the Hospital embarked on stringent measures to protect its workers and the general public from contracting the disease.
“We are not taking chances, consequently, the authorities are enforcing to the letter all health guidelines and protocols for the safety of staff, patients and visitors,” he told the media in Kumasi.
Currently, the Hospital, the nation’s second largest health referral facility, has expanded its Infectious Disease Holding Area (IDHA), and according to the Management, this is to create the needed space to isolate those infected.
When the GNA visited the facility on Wednesday a notice of “No Mask, No Entry”, had been posted at all entry points to the facility, while a mandatory screening of all visitors was also in progress.
The Hospital also has plans to expand its quarantine centre in the future if the need arises, to be able to contain at least 25 patients at a time.
Dr. Danso lauded the government for its commitment to resource healthcare workers with the requisite medical supplies and equipment for effective campaign to containing the pandemic.
The pandemic, he noted, was deadly, urging the citizenry to strive to comply with the laid down safety measures for their own protection.
Ghana had recorded 5,127 confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of May 12, this year, with 494 recoveries and 22 deaths.
Out of this figure, the Ashanti Region has recorded 662 confirmed cases, and the second highest after Greater Accra with 3,981 confirmed cases.
Information gathered by the GNA indicated that more than 60 per cent of the overall national confirmed cases were detected through the enhanced contact tracing mode instituted by the government since the nation recorded her first two cases in March 12, this year.
GNA