Ghana’s COVID-19 death toll now 725
At least five more persons have died of COVID-19 pushing Ghana’s death toll to 725, the Ghana Health Service (GHS) has announced.
The country’s active cases now stand at 3,197 after 182 new coronavirus cases were added to the national tally after laboratory confirmation.
As of 18 March 2021, the GHS reports that the country’s total confirmed cases increased to 89, 682 out of which 85,761 have recovered.
So far, 35 persons are in severe condition while 16 remain critical, according to GHS. Cases detected at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) are 1,295 with 1,189 recoveries.
Breakdown of regional cases:
Greater Accra Region – 49,628
Ashanti Region – 15,213
Western Region – 5,638
Eastern Region – 4,093
Central Region – 3,201
Volta Region – 2,318
Northern Region – 1,598
Bono East Region – 1,380
Bono Region – 1,297
Upper East Region – 1,294
Western North Region – 846
Ahafo Region – 694
Upper West Region – 473
Oti Region – 390
North East Region – 210
Savannah Region – 114
GHS begins inquiry into vaccines theft
The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has initiated an administrative inquiry into the alleged stealing and selling of COVID-19 vaccines in the country.
In a press statement signed by Dr. Patrick Kuma Aboagye, director-general of the GHS, said, “It has noticed with great concern, a publication in sections of the media alleging that three staff of the Service who work in various hospitals in the Greater Accra Region have been arrested for stealing and selling COVID- 19 vaccines.
“The Service condemns such alleged criminal act in no uncertain terms. An administrative inquiry is being instituted and appropriate sanctions shall be applied if they are found culpable. The Service commits to cooperate with the security agencies to unravel the circumstances leading to this illicit act,” it said.
The National Security has arrested three persons for their alleged involvement in the stealing and sale of COVID-19 vaccines belonging to the government.
A 37-year-old Disease Control Officer of the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, Stephen Dzisenu, is said to have stolen 36 vials of Covishield and a disease control officer of the La Bawalashie Polyclinic, Lord Pabitey, now at large, also allegedly stole 26 vials of Covishield.
Cosmos Allotey, 42-year-old occupational health, and safety officer is said to have received the stolen Covishield from Pabitey and Dzisenu. Allotey allegedly administered the vaccines at a cost of GHC200 per jab.
Joseph Knight Gaisie, a project assistant and a former laboratory technician at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital is also being held for abetment of crime.
The three – Dzisenu, Gaisie, and Allotey – have been remanded into lawful custody by an Accra Circuit Court to reappear on 1 April.
