March 27, 2020
Published by: Uwada

Upper West Akim district is one of the Thirty Three (33) Districts in the Eastern region located at the southern part of the region. The district is made up of eight sub-districts namely; Abamkrom, Adeiso, Asikasu, Asuokaw, Mepom, Odumkyere-Darmang, Nyanoa and Okurase sub-districts. The district is bounded to the North by West Akim Municipal &Ayensuano District, South by Ga South of Greater Accra, East by Birim Central & West Akim Municipal and West by Nsawam Adoagyiri&Ayensuano District.

Background to COVID-19

Coronaviruses are large group of viruses that are common among animals. In rare cases, they are what scientists call zoonotic, meaning they can be transmitted from animals to humans, according to the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention. It is a dangerous disease with incubation period between 4-6 days. It is fatal especially for those with weakened immune system, the elderly and the very young. Sign and symptoms include; fever, runny nose, cough, sore throat and possibly a headache. It could also result in pneumonia and bronchitis. When it comes to human-to-human transmission of the viruses, often it happens when someone comes into contact with the infected person's secretions. The exposure factors include: coughing, sneezing and handshaking (GHS COVID -19 Update, 2020).

Epidemiology of Disease

On 30 December 2019, three broncho alveolar lavage samples were collected from a patient with pneumonia of unknown etiology – a surveillance definition established following the SARS outbreak of 2002-2003 – in Wuhan Jinyintan Hospital. A novel coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2 is the cause of COVID-19 and the outbreak first recognized in China in December 2019. As of 20 February 2020, a cumulative total of 75,465 COVID-19 cases were reported in China. Reported cases are based on the National Reporting System. Globally, 575,444 cases were confirmed with a total death of 26, 654 as at March, 28th March, 2020.Ghana recorded its first cases of Covid-19 on 12th March, 2020. Total confirmed cases as at 30th March, 2020 was 152 with 5 deaths. The sudden spike in case incidence is as a result of the mandatory quarantine and compulsory testing for all travellers entering Ghana, as directed by the president. Great majority of the confirmed cases are Ghanaians, who returned home from affected countries. Seven (7) are of other nationalities namely: Norway, Lebanon, China and UK. In respect of contact tracing, a total of 829 contacts have been identified and are being tracked. Total of 826 contacts have been enlisted and being tracked. Nineteen (19) people have completed the 14 days of mandatory follow up.