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General News of Monday, 17 August 2020

Source: starrfm.com.gh

Coronavirus: There are no backlogs of samples - Akufo-Addo

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Ghana no longer has backlogs of samples to test for COVID-19, President Akufo-Addo has announced.

The President made the disclosure during his 15th address to the nation since the pandemic broke in the country Sunday evening.

“Thus far, a total of forty thousand, five hundred and sixty-seven (40,567) persons have recovered from the virus. This means our recovery rate has improved from 89.5% to 95.1% in three weeks. Our death rate continues, mercifully, to be low at zero-point five percent (0.5%).

” Happily, there are no backlogs of tests at any of our testing centres, meaning that situational reports are up to date. Indeed, tests results that used to take weeks are now available within forty-eight (48) hours. We have, so far, conducted 427,121 tests.” he said.

Meanwhile, Ghana’s borders will be reopened on September 1 after five months of being shut due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I know many still ask when our borders, especially our international airport, Kotoka International Airport, will be open. Under my instructions, the Ministry of Aviation, the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority and the Ghana Airports Co. Ltd., have been working, with the Ministry of Health and its agencies, to ascertain our readiness to reopen our airport.

“I want to ensure that we are in a position to test every single passenger that arrives in the country to avoid the spread of the virus. The outcome of that exercise will show us the way, and determine when we can reopen our border by air. I am hoping that, by God’s grace, we will be ready to do so by 1st September.

“Until further notice, our borders, by air, land and sea, remain closed to human traffic. For Ghana residents stranded abroad, special dispensation will continue to be given for their evacuation back to Ghana, where they will be subjected to the mandatory quarantine and safety protocols.”