The Ashanti Regional Metro Director of Health, Dr Akosua Gyimah Omari-Sasu, has urged parents to allow their sick children to stay at home, instead of making them go to school.

This follows reports of COVID-19 cases in some schools in the Ashanti Regional capital, Kumasi.

Speaking on the sidelines of a donation to the Suntreso Government Hospital, Kumasi, by the Rebecca Akufo-Addo Foundation on Thursday, 18 February 2021, Dr Omari-Sasu disclosed that the Kumasi Metro records 50 to 100 COVID-19 cases daily.

She noted that the figures vary on a daily basis and keep increasing each day.  

Although Dr Omari-Sasu declined to indicate the number of cases recorded in schools in the region, she told Class91.3FM’s Ashanti regional correspondent, Elisha Adarkwah, that the children are recovering.

“The schools, too, we've had a few positives but they are fine and well and recovering.”

She further indicated that the region continues to record cases daily with some severe cases.

 “Daily we have positive cases and these even are those who report to our health facilities. There are others who are self-medicating, going to the pharmacy shop or staying at home.

“So, that means, there are more positive cases out there and we’re having severe forms of these, those with severe forms that need to be admitted. So, it is still very high.

Dr Omari-Sasu, therefore, entreated the general public to stay home if they do not have anything to do outside and continue to observe the safety protocols.

 “If your child is sick, let them stay at home, the teachers should also ensure that the handwashing facilities are available, hand sanitisers, the children are wearing their face masks,” Dr Omari-Sasu added.