Deputy Minister of Health, Dr Bernard Oko-Boye, has dispelled the notion that the surge in Ghana’s case count of COVID-19 means a failure by the authorities to contain the spread of the disease.

According to the newly-sworn in government appointee, President Akufo-Addo’s effective approach of testing, tracing and treating of patients has helped slow down the rate of infection, which stands at three per cent of the country’s population.

Although as of the 16th May 2020, Ghana’s COVID-19 positive cases stood at 5,638, Dr Oko-Boye, at a ceremony to officially receive some PPE and medical supplies donated to the Ghana Health Service by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, indicated that: “Our infection rate is significantly low".

"So far, we stand about 3 per cent average. It means when one person with COVID comes into contact with 100 people, out of the 100, about three can test positive. When you go elsewhere, they are doing between 10 to 15 in most countries in Europe and North America.”

He added: “Now, we are doing about 5,500, I've heard people say: 'But why are the numbers going up?' The more numbers we get, the lower the risk in the population because anyone who is positive is isolated and taken out. And, so, it's just like having a school compound with only two snakes identified but you are safer now”.

Dr Oko-Boye also mentioned that many health systems across Africa and the world are getting overwhelmed as a result of conducting fewer tests, adding: “The reason is simple; if you don't go after a virus, the virus will come to you and, so, so far, I think this approach is one that is very effective and other countries are being encouraged to go that way”.