Coronavirus: Bono Region steps up Enhanced Port Surveillance after first case

Correspondence from Bono Region

The Bono Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) has stepped up measures to prevent community spread of Coronavirus in the region.

This comes in after the region confirmed its first case of the novel coronavirus since its outbreak in the country.

Measures adopted by the RCC and the Regional Public Health Emergency Management Committee include an increase in port surveillance and behaviour change communication (BCC).

Speaking at a press briefing to provide an update on the first case of coronavirus in the region, the Regional Health Director, Dr. Kofi Issah, revealed that the Health Directorate has since made improvements in their activities in order to prevent community spread.

According to him, the Health Directorate has since increased preventive measures in relation to pandemic preparedness and response rate in the region.

“As at this afternoon (7th May 2020), contact tracing teams have been to the field to take samples from identified primary contacts of the quarantined. We have stepped up surveillance in our 12 districts to enable us gain a broader picture of the state of infection within the region and thereby respond appropriately. We have also increased behaviour change communication (BCC) and continue to emphasize social distancing to prevent community spread”.

Dr. Issah revealed that the Bono Region has investigated 583 suspected cases and taken 202 samples. Out of the number, they have received the results of 128 samples with one positive case.

He urged residents in the region to remain calm and adhere fully to the hygiene protocols announced by the President and the Ghana Health Service.