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Regional news for Saturday, March 6, 2021
Source: GNA
2021-03-06
The Upper East region has registered a total of 35 deaths related to COVID-19
Of the total 35 people who have lost their lives due to coronavirus-related infections in the Upper East region, two were health workers, revealed Dr. Emmanuel Kofi Dzotsi, regional director of Ghana Health Services.
He said that since the region registered its first case in April 2020, a total of 119 health workers out of the cumulative number of 1,118 have contracted the virus, 46 were registered in 2020 and 71 as of February 27, 2021.
He spoke at the annual performance review meeting of the Regional Health Directorate held in Bolgatanga on the theme “Reduction of maternal and neonatal mortality amid the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Dr. Dzotsi said that so far 1,006 people have been discharged, while there were 143 active cases, 21 on admission and 122 administered at home.
“There were 39 cases registered in our schools, but fortunately we have been able to register 38, leaving only those from Bolgatanga Municipal,” he added.
The Regional Director attributed the worsening of the virus infection to the poor attitude of residents and health workers towards the recommended safety protocols.
“We only have one treatment center in the regional hospital with a higher number of home management cases and this is driving the spread of COVID-19 as the home environment is not suitable for self-isolation,” he said.
Dr. Dzotsi said that the Regional Health Directorate and the Regional Coordinating Council had intensified efforts to curb the spread through a series of interventions including; elaboration of strategies in the meetings of the Public Health Emergency Management Committee.
He said the Committee had directed the 15 municipalities and districts in the region to establish treatment centers to handle asymptomatic and mild COVID-19 cases and to have trained district and sub-district staff to handle them.
He said that the Ghana Health Service in collaboration with key stakeholders, including; the Department of Information Services and the National Commission for Civic Education had intensified education about the disease in public places such as markets, truck parks, schools, mosques and churches, among others.
Dr. Dzotsi said that all healthcare workers had been instructed to strictly adhere to safety protocols and asked the public to observe recommended protocols, including; Regular hand washing with soap and running water, application of hand sanitizers, practice of social distancing and use of nasal masks.
“It is important to reiterate that we are not in normal times and that we must all observe and adhere to all COVID-19 safety precautions and also take COVID-19 vaccines when it comes to our region. We must also report any suspected cases of meningitis for early care and treatment, as we are in meningitis season, ”he added.
