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Stopping COVID-19 mass tests irresponsible – Murtala Mohammed

The National Democratic Congress’ parliamentary candidate for Tamale Central, Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed has described as irresponsible and dangerous, a decision by the Ghana Health Service (GHS) to discontinue mass testing for COVID-19 in the country.

The Ghana Health Service has asked all Metropolitan, Municipal and District health directorates to instruct health facilities within their jurisdictions to desist from mass testing of any group of individuals unless they are authorized by the Director-General.

In a statement, it said all suspected cases are also expected to be managed as COVID-19 cases until the results arrive to avoid mortalities.

But speaking on Citi TV’s Breakfast Daily, the former legislator for the Nanton Constituency said the move was only going to facilitate the spread of the virus from asymptomatic patients.

He also indicated that the move was a recipe to infect more health workers with the virus since they may be exposed to the virus unknowingly.

A total of 97 healthcare personnel have so far tested positive for the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the Ashanti Region.

Deputy Ashanti Regional Director of Health Service, Dr Ofori Yeboah, who disclosed this at a press conference, said 14 of them have so far recovered.

He added that one doctor who also tested positive however succumbed to the virus. Meanwhile, Ghana’s COVID-19 case count has risen to 12,929 out of a total of 261,319 tests.

According to the new data shared by the Ghana Health Service on Thursday, June 18, 2020, the number of people who have recovered is now 4,468 with the number of deaths remaining 66.

The total number of active cases is 8,395 with 14 people reported to be in severe condition. Ghana has reviewed its COVID-19 discharge policy to ease pressure on health facilities, among others.

At a press briefing on Thursday morning, the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr Patrick Aboagye, explained that the review will affect patients who do not display symptoms of the virus and patients whose symptoms die down during treatment.

For patients who are asymptomatic, “14 days after the initial positive, we will discharge you without a test.”The change in policy is in line with revised guidelines by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

 

Source:Fiilafmonline/CitiNews

 

 

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