Information reaching ThinkNewsOnline indicates that JoyNews' Sports Journalist, Gary Al-Smith and four other staff have tested positive for coronavirus.
Although the other four staff who have contracted the deadly novel virus are unknown, Mr. Smith took to his Facebook page to reveal that he is one of the five.
In a Facebook post sighted by ThinkNewsOnline, Gary Al-Smith said “After consultation with my family, we have decided that from tonight, I’ll be speaking on radio and TV about my experience.”
He added that working from home he believes can help him battle the stigmatization as well as prevent the spread of the disease.
He said "I'm doing very well, so no need to panic"
Meanwhile, the Multimedia Group, operators of Joy FM among a host of media networks has also confirmed that five of its staff have been infected with the COVID-19.
The media house in a statement also said "This is to inform you that five (5) members of our team at our business offices in Accra who were contact traced and tested by the Ghana Health Service (GHS) have tested positive for the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19)”
Below is the full statement from management:
Multimedia Records Covid Case
This is to inform you that five (5) members of our team at our business offices in Accra who were contact traced and tested by the Ghana Health Service (GHS) have tested positive for the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19).
The affected team members, who were all asymptomatic, have been isolated in line with case management protocols.
Officials of the Ghana Health Service are monitoring them and we can report that they are all hale and hearty and are responding well to treatment.
As part of ensuring the safety and well-being of our team members and our guests and to minimise any potential for the spread of the virus, we have ramped up internal contract tracing, in liaison with the Ghana Health Service.
Together, we have ensured that team members who may have come into contact with the five (5) team members who tested positive have been tested and have gone into self-isolation for 14 days as required.
In addition, all remaining team members are to be tested. Testing commenced on Monday, June 15, 2020.
Furthermore, thorough disinfection and deep cleansing of our studios, offices, and facilities take place on a daily basis.
The measures, as indicated above, have been taken to enable us to protect team members, guests, and visitors to our studios and offices.
The measures notwithstanding, we wish to encourage all team members and guests to observe the enhanced safety protocols we have put in place in all our offices and branches.
Be assured that we are working with health authorities to implement all safety measures as required while discharging our responsibility to the nation, our audience, and advertisers even in these difficult times.
Kind regards,
Management
The Multimedia Group
Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith
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