The Ghana Health Service says the high number of COVID-19 cases being recorded at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) is a reflection of the surge in cases in many parts of the world.
The Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, insists that several measures have been put in place to reduce the importation of the coronavirus.
Frontiers Healthcare Services, managers of Ghana’s COVID-19 testing programme at the Kotoka International Airport, in a letter to the Managing Director of the Ghana Airports Company Limited, drew attention to the high number of COVID-19 cases recorded at the airport in recent times.
Dr. Kuma-Aboagye believes the high numbers detected justify the setting up of the facility to test all passengers arriving in the country.
“In January, we recorded about 430 cases. In February the number came down. In March, it was only 93. Currently, we are doing about 193 cases. So it depends on the surge, and it always reflects what is happening in the neighbourhood and the rest of the world.”
“So the PCR test is part of the measures to check the importation of the cases and eliminate it. It usually reflects from areas where you have a surge. For instance, if you have a surge in Asia, then you will see a lot of cases from there. So that is the indication.”
He added that passengers who show signs of illness are detained at the Ga East Hospital, whereas asymptomatic persons are kept in isolation centres.
“They are being detained. We do the triaging for them and those who are sick are kept at the Ga East Hospital. Those who are asymptomatic are put in our isolation centres. Some of the foreigners are also taken to the hotel. We keep them and then if the test is repeated, and it’s negative you are discharged. If it’s positive, we keep them,” Dr. Kuma-Aboagye added.
Frontiers Health Services said it recorded the highest daily number of positive COVID-19 cases at the airport on Saturday, April 24, 2021.
Prior to that, the highest number was on Wednesday, April 21, 2021.
According to the company, the rate of positive cases being recorded at the airport in recent times is “unprecedented.”
Minority demands travel restrictions
In the meantime, the Minority is asking health officials to immediately consider the imposition of restrictions on arrivals from countries with high infection rates.
“The government should also consider a careful examination of the data and where necessary impose travel restrictions from regions that have travellers presenting fake or poor test results.”
“Government should also consider travel restrictions on countries currently experiencing high COVID-19 infection rates to reduce the possibility of importing COVID-19 infections into the country. Some countries have already implemented these measures and Ghana should also consider doing the same,” it said in a statement.
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SOURCE: CITINEWSROOM
