Whiles health experts are cautioning the public about the number of persons falling critically sick after testing positive for covid-19, a situation the health experts said is putting a strain on the limited beds available at the various treatment centres, some members of the public and traders at the various markets in the capital still disregard the covid-19 protocols in defiance of the rules.
The Republic Press newspaper can report that major markets in the capital, Accra are still struggling to adhere to the covid-19 protocols. Tudu, Madina, Kaneshie and Nima markets at the time of visit had no social distancing measures in place, there was no veronica buckets close to either traders or buyers to wash hands. What is more shocking is how people still have the nose mask at their chin and or are not wearing at all in defiance of the rules prohibiting people from wearing their nose mask before stepping out.
A trader when asked why her mask was on her chin harshly replied “allow us to breathe, if you will die, you will die, stop worrying us with this Corona dien dien…”
Her counterpart cheered her up saying “this virus kills the rich, God is the one protecting us, He knows we don’t have money to fall sick again.”
Much as many are not wearing the mask, one Anita who was properly in her masked was concerned about how others are not wearing it, “those not wearing the mask put our lives at risk, but the moment you complain, they say all kinds of things to you. The education must come down to them, the authorities need to find ways to ensure we social distance at the market as well.”
“As for me, I wear it but not always, we are hearing the cases are going up, but is infecting those going for parties, funerals among others.” – Agartha
These same women were however worried should the President impose another lockdown as one sister Ayo said “we beg our father President Akufo-addo, our children are going to school, if he impose another lockdown, who will take care of them for us. I am a single mother of four girls, I cannot take care of them if I don’t come to the market here.”
“When it was time for votes, they didn’t know there is covid? Why are there pretending the disease is here, if it is here, they should come and take us away.” One trader angrily replied if she was aware the covid-19 cases are increasing in the country.
“We heard we will get the vaccine soon, why is it delaying, we are not use to putting clothes around our nose, we are trying but the authorities must also do their part.” A trader said
Another angry trader said “is the cases not coming from the airports, is the airport closed, why must they say they will close the markets, who will feed our families, they should rather close the airports where the virus is coming from and allow us do our business.”
The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has warned of an imminent lockdown should the laxity in adhering to safety protocols for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic continue.
The Deputy General Secretary of the Association, Dr Titus Bayuo said government could be forced to impose stricter restrictions or a lockdown if the cases continue to increase as being witnessed recently.
“My caution to Ghanaians is that by our very actions, we are pushing ourselves towards tougher restrictions (that is, ban on social gatherings or lockdown) and if we get there the political leaders will have no option.”
The Ghana Health Service has confirmed that the Covid-19 virus has now spread to all 16 regions of the country.
The Information Minister-designate Kojo Oppong Nkrumah who disclosed this said the Greater Accra, Ashanti and Western Regions are the biggest hotspots.
He said the situation has changed since President Akufo-Addo said during his 22nd national address to the nation that 13 out of the 16 regions in the country had recorded positive cases.
Ghana Health Service says as many as 695 new cases were recorded on the January 21, increasing the active cases from 3,286 to 3,813 and total case count of 61,498.
Regarding the third rise, the director general of the Ghana Health Service , Dr Kumah Aboagye said there are more people showing symptoms and falling severely ill.
Some experts have drawn attention to the institution of a second lockdown to curb the virus’ spread.
The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has already called on government to impose restrictions on social gatherings as the surge in active Covid-19 cases persist.