At least nine health workers in Ghana have died of COVID-19 as at June 30, 2020, officials have announced in a statement.
A joint statement issued by the Health Sector Unions and Professional Associations said a total of 779 health workers have so far been infected with the contagion since Ghana first recorded it in mid-March.
This translates into six health sector workers getting infected each day since Ghana recorded its first two cases on March 12, 2020.
“As at 30th June 2020, over seven hundred and seventy-nine (779) health workers had contracted the COVID- 19 virus in the line of duty with a total of nine (9) deaths having occurred so far. A large number of health workers are also currently in isolation awaiting their test results after having been exposed to the virus at their places of work.”
“The data gathered so far indicates that; 190 members of the GMA (Doctors) have contracted the virus with 4 unfortunate deaths. 410 members of the GRNMA and its Allied Associations (Nurses and Midwives) have contracted the virus with 1 unfortunate death. 156 members of the HSWU have contracted the virus with 3 unfortunate deaths. 23 members of the GHOSPA have contracted the virus with 1 unfortunate death,” the statement revealed.
The health workers in their statement urged the government to expand its testing program throughout the country and make available test kits to prevent delays in obtaining test results.
They also said “all health facilities must mandatorily create holding bays to detain all patients who are suspected to have contracted COVID-19” warning that Ghana would be treading on dangerous grounds if it fails to urgently act in this regard.
“There is no vaccine for COVID-19, the only way prevent its spread us through adherence to the safety protocols at all times,” the health unions stated.
Below is the full statement:
Source: Daily Mail GH
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