Covid-19 third wave: Workplaces now red zones

The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has warned that the country is experiencing a third wave of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic with workplaces now a major area of concern.

“We are now experiencing a third wave of COVID-19 and the workplace is a major area of concern as we try to curtail and combat the outbreak of the virus in Ghana,” the Director-General of GHS, Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, said at a forum in Accra on July 27.

He was speaking at the Chartered Institute of Administrators and Management Consultants – Ghana’s third annual Administration Professional Conference.

On the theme, "Health, Wellbeing and Productivity in the Workplace," the hybrid conference created a platform for patrons to share ideas on how best occupational health and safety could be promoted at various workplaces.

Read also: President reinforces COVID-19 restrictions - Ban on post-event receptions

Ghana recently ramped up her Covid-19 safety protocols, with President Akufo-Addo announcing the strict compliance with social gathering rules – open-air activities, two-hour gathering periods, wearing of nose masks, and social distancing.

COVID-19 Situation                                                                                                                                                                                                         

• As of the 25th July, 2021, the total confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ghana stood at 102,569.
• Total tests done 1,412,464 (Test Positivity rate 7.3%)
• Total recoveries: 97,213
• Active Cases: 4,983
• Deaths: 823

COVID-19 Among International Arrivals

• As of the 27th July 2021
• Total No. of Cases : 2,249 (0.58%)
• Total Tests: 390,527
• Males (63%) : Females (37%)
• Ghanaian (41%) : Non-Ghanaian (58%)

Ghana Schools Covid-19 Update (25/07/2021)

• 392 schools have recorded cases
• 2,647 cumulative total cases
• 93.7% of cases have recovered
• 166 active cases among students from 6 Regions
• (Ashanti-93, Oti-38, Greater Accra-15, Eastern-12, Bono East-7, Bono-1)
• 512 highest number of cases - Volta region
• North East region only region with no cases in schools

Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye gave a grim outlook of the Ghanaian situation as he presented an overview of the COVID-19 situation.

• Significant increase in recorded cases over the past 4 weeks
• Increasing number of severe and critical cases
• Increasing number of cases among international arrivals at KIA
• Increasing number of school outbreaks
• Number of districts reporting cases daily on the increase
• All regions except one have active cases
• Adherence to COVID-19 protocols reportedly poor across all regions
• The probability of a severe third wave is high