799 health workers test positive for Covid-19; nine dead

Over seven hundred and seventy-nine health workers in the country have contracted the novel Coronavirus with nine deaths as of June 30, the joint health sector unions and professional associations have announced.

The affected health workers include 190 doctors with 4 unfortunate deaths, 410 nurses and midwives with I unfortunate death.

150 health service workers with 3 unfortunate deaths and also 23 government hospital pharmacists.

These cases have been attributed to the inadequate supply of PPE, delays in receipt of Covid-19 test results, amongst others.

The group has noted that an emergency meeting was held on July 1, by the Ghana Medical Association. Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association, Health Services Workers Union and Government and Hospital Pharmacists Association to discuss the spike in the spread of COVID-19 infection among health workers in Ghana.

In a press release dated July 9, they added “and considering that the increasing numbers had a grave tendency of stilling the efforts to curtail the spread of the Coronavinus in Ghana, we are having this Press Conference to inform the general public and our dear health care workers of the following:

“As at 30. June 2020, over seven hundred and seventy-nine (779) health workers had contracted the COVID-19 virus in the line of duty with a total of nine (9) deaths having occurred so far. A large number of health workers are also currently in isolation awaiting their test results after having been exposed to the virus at their places of work.”

“The data gathered so far indicates that; 190 members of the GMA (Doctors) have contracted the virus with 4 unfortunate deaths. 410 members of the GRNMA and its Allied Associations (Nurses and Midwives) have contracted the virus with I unfortunate death,”the statement noted.

See the statement below:

Source: Starrfm.com.gh