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COVID-19: Government reviews discharge policy
The government has reviewed its discharge policy on patients of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
With the policy, asymptomatic patients would be discharged in 10 days after showing no signs of the disease.
“For asymptomatic patients, 10 days after symptoms of onset, plus at least three days without symptoms, you are discharged without a test,” the Director General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye has announced at a press briefing in Accra yesterday.
The days for discharge of symptomatic patients would however remain 14 after two negative tests.
He indicated that, the review was done in accordance with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Ghana’s clinical management guidelines on the disease.
In addition, Dr Kuma-Aboagye said, the revised policy was to allow the management of the country’s COVID-19 cases focus on newly infected patients and to decongest its holding centres.
“This is to allow us more time to give attention to those who are newly positive, and also create place in our facilities to be able to take care of more cases,” he said.
Dr Kuma-Aboagye used the platform to explain discharges, saying, discharged persons are those who are healthy, with no traces of virus in their blood and poses no risk to others.
During his turn, the Director of Public Health at the GHS, Dr Badu Sarkodie also provided details of the country’s cases of COVID-19, which showed that the cases had almost reached 13, 000.
He said that, as of June 16, the number of COVID-19 cases in Ghana was 12,929, resulting from 339 new cases from 36 districts in nine out of the 16 regions.
The 12,929 was a combination of 8,395 active cases and 4,468 recoveries and 66 deaths.
Meanwhile, 14 patients of the COVID-19 are critically ill, with four others on ventilators.
The regional breakdown comprised of 154 cases from 17 districts in the country’s regional capital, Accra, with 58 cases from two districts in the Western Region.
The Ashanti Region has recorded 41 new cases from two districts, while the Central Region’s new cases were 38, all from one district.
Meanwhile, the Eastern and Volta regions have 15 and 13 newly confirmed COVID-19 cases respectively, from a total of three districts in the two regions.
The remaining 21 cases are from five districts in three regions namely Bono East nine, Northern nine and the Savannah two.
Source: Ghanaian Times
News
We can fight Galamsey without declaring a state of emergency – President Mahama insists
President John Dramani Mahama has ruled out the need to declare a state of emergency in dealing with illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey in the interim.
Addressing journalists at a media encounter at the Flagstaff House, the President said the government has put in place practical measures to combat the menace without suspending normal constitutional processes.
He explained that over 600 “Blue River Guards” have already been trained and deployed to patrol water bodies and destroy equipment used for galamsey.
He added that more personnel will be recruited to protect forest reserves and rivers that serve as water sources for communities.
President Mahama stressed that illegal mining remains a major threat to the environment and water supply, but insisted that strong enforcement and community participation can address the problem without resorting to emergency powers.
“I have been reluctant to declare a state of emergency on galamsey because it should be our last resort in the fight against it,” President Mahama said.
He stressed that state of emergency should be the last resort, and if it becomes necessary, he will go to Parliament
He assured Ghanaians of government’s commitment to protect natural resources while ensuring livelihoods are preserved.
By: Jacob Aggrey
News
NSB to track and arrest individuals who incite violence and hate speech online
President John Dramani Mahama has announced that the National Signals Bureau (NSB) will begin monitoring social media platforms and other online spaces to track down individuals who incite violence or spread hate speech.
Speaking during a media encounter at the Flagstaff House, the President said the move is to protect national security and safeguard citizens from dangerous online activities.
He explained that hate speech, fake news, and violent messages on the internet often fuel tension and can lead to conflicts if left unchecked.
President Mahama stated that persons found guilty of using online platforms to encourage violence or spread divisive messages will be arrested and prosecuted under the laws of Ghana.
He also urged Ghanaians to use social media responsibly and avoid posting or sharing content that could threaten peace and unity.
He further encouraged the public to report suspicious online activities to the authorities for prompt action.
The President stressed that while government respects freedom of speech, such freedoms must be exercised responsibly to ensure national security and social harmony.
By: Jacob Aggrey
