News:
July 2, 2025
Minister for Health Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has briefed Parliament pointing out that as at Tuesday, July 1, 2025, there have been one hundred and seven confirmed COVID-19 cased, hundred and sixteen suspected cases, no hospitalisation and no death case.
According to him COVID-19 is no longer regarded as a global health emergency, indicating that the virus has not disappeared. “Like many other viruses, we anticipate it to flare up occasionally, especially during certain seasons”.
Ghana’s Robust Surveillance System
This should reassure all Ghanaians that, should there be any cases outside the university campus, our surveillance system remains active and ready to detect and respond effectively.
And added that so far, the outbreak is limited to the University community. It has not spread widely to other parts of Accra or the rest of the country. “As I mentioned earlier, all confirmed cases are recovering well”.
What Caused the Spike?
The Minister disclosed that a team investigating the cause of the spike found a few key issues that fuelled the spread. The most significant factor was the recent Hall Week celebrations held at the University. These events brought large crowds together, with little use of face masks or distancing.
What’s Next?
Additional steps underway including:
– Supporting Legon Hospital and the Student Clinic with more resources
– Preparing the Ghana Infectious Disease Centre to handle severe
cases—if any occur
– Holding face-to-face sessions with student bodies and faculty
– Providing more PPEs and training for frontline health workers
– Enhancing our data tracking in all health facilities, including mapping where cases are coming from
– And continuing to test and monitor daily
“Mr. Speaker, I want to assure Ghanaians that this is not a new virus, and we are not back to 2020. This Omicron variant has been with us before. It spreads fast, yes – but it is mostly mild. And we know how to manage it.
Additionally, I wish to assure the public that treatment is available for COVID-19. Paxlovid an antiviral that is taken twice a day for 5 days only is recommended for patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 who have co-morbidities such as diabetes or hypertension. It has proven effective and has minimal side effects”.
Mr. Speaker as of 29th June, we had confirmed 133 cases of MPOX mostly in the Western, Greater Accra and Western North Regions. It is essential to note that there are currently no admissions, and we have had no deaths associated with the MPOX outbreak to date.
Additionally, except for the cases confirmed in the past week, all affected individuals have fully recovered, he stated.
MPOX spreads through close contact, and we all need to stay safe, avoid close contact with anyone with symptoms suggestive of MPOX – which include fever, rash, headache and swollen lymph nodes – and protect ourselves by washing our hands regularly with soap and water.
Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com