Safety Against COVID-19 Delta Variant Of COVID In Your Hands

—–Public Health Association

The Ghana Public Health Association (GPHA) is warning the public that the latest variant of the coronavirus is gaining on the country’s public health system and that individuals must take responsibility for their own safety.

In a statement signed by its President, Dr. George Amofa, the GPHA warned that the Delta variant of the virus is more infectious and deadlier, lamenting that the public has let its guard down in the need to practice safety protocols, including the wearing of nose masks.

“It is under this scenario that the Ghana Public Health Association calls on the public to take responsibility for their own health and safety and that of their loved ones…We plead with the public to follow laid down COVID-19 protocols, especially the wearing of face masks in public places. We should also avail ourselves with the opportunity of vaccination whenever available,” the statement said.

The Delta variant of the coronavirus has become a source of global alarm after it devastated the population in India, where it killed so rapidly that relatives of victims had to line up to cremate them.

It has since spread to other parts of the world including Ghana where a high infection rate is reportedly putting hospitals under pressure.

The GPHA laments that contributory factors to the spread in Ghana include disregard for safety protocols by the populace.

“This invasion of the variant in Ghana is occurring, unfortunately, at a time when there appears to be universal disdain to complying with COVID-19 safety protocols, especially wearing of face masks. Some religious and other groups are complicit in this offence.”

The statement called on all Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies to intensify education and awareness about the new variant of the virus.

It also urged members of the public to get vaccinated when the opportunity arises.

Meanwhile, some 2,323 students from a total of 363 schools have tested positive for COVID-19 since the resumption of schools in January 2021.

This was revealed by the Director of Ghana Health Service, Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye at a press briefing on Wednesday, July 14, 2021.