The government has announced that Ghana’s case count for COVID-19 has risen to 141.
This comes after four new cases were confirmed at 1520GMT on Saturday, March 28, 2020.
One person who tested positive is among those under mandatory quarantine while the three other cases were confirmed within the general population.
1 new death
Meanwhile, one new patient has been confirmed dead, raising the death toll to five.
All five deaths involved persons who tested positive after routine surveillance. None of the persons who tested positive under mandatory quarantine has died from the disease.
Breakdown of 141 total cases
With the new update, the number of confirmed cases within the general population is now 62, including five deaths and two recovered patients.
Those who have tested positive for COVID-19 within those under mandatory quarantine is 79.
Regions affected
So far, cases have been confirmed in the Greater Accra Region, Ashanti Region and the Upper West Region.
Upper West region – 1 case
Ashanti Region – 7 cases
Greater Accra region – 54 cases (excluding those under mandatory quarantine)
Accra, Kumasi go on a lockdown
Meanwhile, President Nana Akufo-Addo has announced a partial lockdown of the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area and the Greater Kumasi Metropolitan Area as part of efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19.
He said within the period, aggressive testing of all contacts will be done.
He said the decision “will give us the opportunity to try to halt the spread of the virus, and scale-up effectively contact tracing of persons who have come into contact with infected persons, test them for the virus, and, if necessary, quarantine and isolate them for treatment, should they prove to have the virus.”
He added that the earlier ban on public gatherings remains in force and persons who flout it will be punished.
“Let me also reiterate that the ban on public gatherings, religious or social, is still in force. Anyone, irrespective of status, religion or ethnicity, who is found to be flouting them will be dealt with fully in accordance with law. The security services have been clothed with the necessary power to enforce these measures, and I assure you that they will do so responsibly, but without fear or favour, ill-will or malice,” he said.
