The Western Region has recorded its first case of COVID-19 pandemic involving a Chinese National.
The Chinese, who arrived in Ghana on Saturday 21 March, 2020 and was in self-isolation for the mandatory period of 14 days did not show any signs of the condition until a sample test proved otherwise.
The Regional Minister, Mr. Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah in a press statement, said the victim showed no symptoms of the virus, a sample taken from him for testing on 8th April, 2020 unfortunately tested positive on the 12th of April, 2020.
He is one of six Chinese and 32 Ghanaian employees at Coastal Quarry, a stone mining facility located near Anto in the Shama District.
A combined team of medical and security personnel have so far been detailed at the facility to pick necessary information for further action.
The statement said despite the haste of social media to broadcast such news in an unwarranted manner, it was imperative that facts were properly checked by media practitioners with health authorities before going to press.
“I am therefore appealing to the public to remain calm, and all those who might have come into contact with personnel of this company, to cooperate with the medical team for expedited contact tracing in order to curb the spread of the virus.”
The statement also called on all MMDCEs and Public Health Emergency Management Committees to ensure that all persons released, without testing, after their 14-day self-isolation or mandatory quarantine at the various places were brought back for testing.
It called on all the Chiefs and people of the Western Region to remain vigilant and cooperate with the health and security personnel to ensure that the infection did not get out of hand in the Western Region.
“I must add that, all recreational centres are out of bounds to the members of the public in furtherance of the ban on social gatherings.
“The security agencies should therefore, be hard on this,” he added.
By Mildred Siabi-Mensah, GNA
