Weija Plant shutdown forces communities in Accra to seek emergency water sources
UG records 107 COVID-19 cases, no infections reported outside Accra
UG records 107 COVID-19 cases, no infections reported outside Accra
By: Nii Ammui Fio | 3 mins read
Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has confirmed that the resurgence of COVID-19 in Ghana is currently confined to the University of Ghana (UG), with no reported cases outside the Greater Accra Region.
Appearing before Parliament on Tuesday, July 1, Mr. Akandoh provided an update on the situation, assuring Ghanaians that “our surveillance system remains active and ready to detect and respond effectively” should infections spread beyond the university.
He disclosed that 107 of the 316 suspected cases at the University of Ghana had tested positive for COVID-19 as of July 1, noting that the cases were identified through Ghana’s influenza surveillance system and confirmed by the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research.
“There have been no deaths and no hospital admissions so far,” the minister told Parliament. He further clarified, “It has not spread widely to other parts of Accra or the rest of the country.”
The confirmed cases have been attributed to a familiar strain—an Omicron sub-variant—which was picked up through a national sentinel surveillance system operating across all 16 regions of the country.
In response to the outbreak, the Health Services Directorate at the University of Ghana has reactivated its COVID-19 Response Protocols. These include screening and triaging at health facilities, mandatory use of face masks in crowded or enclosed spaces, and increased hand hygiene using soap or alcohol-based sanitizers.
University management has also placed a temporary suspension on all social events on campus, except for official academic activities and lectures, in an effort to curtail further spread.
The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has described the current infections within UG as mild in severity, but has urged continued vigilance.
The government is supporting Legon Hospital and the Student Clinic with more resources and preparing the Ghana Infectious Disease Centre to handle severe cases—if any occur—as well as providing more Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) and training for frontline health workers.
Meanwhile, Professor Kofi Bonnie, Head of Biology at the Noguchi Memorial Institute, has cautioned that the rainy season could increase the risk of transmission. Speaking to Joy News, he said, “Influenza-like illnesses surge during rainy days,” highlighting the possibility of rising cases if precautions are not taken.
COVID-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, spreads primarily through close human contact. While vaccines do not entirely prevent infection, they significantly reduce the risk of severe illness and death. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), symptoms can range from fever, chills, and sore throat to more severe manifestations like shortness of breath and chest pain, typically appearing 5 to 6 days after exposure.
Although WHO declared COVID-19 no longer a global public health emergency in May 2023, it emphasized that the disease still poses a significant global threat.
In July 2024, the Ghana Health Service launched a nationwide campaign to administer 500,000 vaccine doses to individuals aged 18 and above. Vaccination teams were deployed across hospitals, clinics, marketplaces, places of worship, workplaces, and residential areas to increase access.
COVID-19 vaccines are now part of Ghana’s routine immunization programme for adults and are available across all vaccination sites.
Globally, COVID-19 has had a devastating impact. As of April 30, 2023, more than 13.3 billion vaccine doses had been administered, with confirmed global cases exceeding 765 million and nearly 7 million deaths. Europe has recorded the highest number of cases and fatalities, while Africa has reported the lowest figures on both counts.
Despite progress in vaccination, the GHS warns that many Ghanaians remain partially vaccinated or unvaccinated, leaving gaps in national immunity and increasing vulnerability to new outbreaks.
STATEMENT-BY-THE-HON.-MINISTER-FOR-HEALTH-ON-THE-COVID-19-OUTBREAK-AT-UG_revised-1-2Download
