The Ghana Education Service (GES) and Ghana Health Service (GHS) in a joint statement have confirmed that 55 out of 314 staff and students at the Accra Girls Senior High School have tested positive for the novel coronavirus.
According to the joint statement, although 55 have tested positive, the remaining 259 are negative.
In a statement signed by the Director General, Ghana Education Service (GES), Prof. Kwasi Opoku-Amankwa and the Director General, Ghana Health Service, Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, the statement said "Following the first report of COVID-19 cases in Senior High School in the country on 6th July, 2020, the Ghana Health Service and the Ghana Education Service instituted a number of measures to determine the extent of the outbreak and containment measures. Accra Girls Senior High School has recorded most cases from the first report to date. As at 13th July, 2020, a total of 314 persons (student and staff) from the School have been tested. Out of these, 55 have been confirmed positive for COVID-19 while 259 persons tested negative"
The statement further added that although some actions have been taken so far, an identification and segregation of contact from other students has also taken place.
They added that the sample collection and laboratory testing of all contacts have been identified with some labeled as suspected cases.
"All confirmed cases have been transferred to designated national treatment and isolation centres for management, restriction of number of students that attend dining at a particular time, enforcement of social distancing protocols, enhanced hand hygiene practices and the proper use of the facemask. Disinfection of the entire school has been carried out" the statement added.
ThinkNewsOnline has gathered that adequate PPEs have been provided to health staff stationed in the school likewise the education on COVID-19 prevention and control has been intensified within the school.
The statement also mentioned that counselling and psychological support is being provided to the students adding that the schools have designated a quarantine and isolation center.
The Ghana Education Service and Ghana Health Service says parents and guardians of affected student have been duly contacted adding that staff of the school have been reassured.
Below is a copy of the joint statement:
Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith
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