President Akufo-Addo has confirmed that although the active cases of covid-19 in the country are reducing, thirteen (13) new people have lost their lives bringing the total number of deaths to three hundred and ten (310).
According to President Akufo-Addo, the three hundred and ten (310) deaths come out of a total number of five hundred and ten thousand, and seventy-four (510,074) persons tested representing 0.5%.
Addressing the nation on Ghana's enhanced response to the covid-19 pandemic, he said "As at Friday, 16th October, the number of active cases has declined further to three hundred and ninety-eight (398), with forty-six thousand, six hundred and sixty-four (46,664) persons fully recovered from the virus, putting our recovery rate at 98.5%. Thirteen (13) more deaths have occurred, bringing the total number of deaths, tragically, to three hundred and ten (310), out of a total number of five hundred and ten thousand, and seventy-four (510,074) persons tested. The rate of death, 0.5%, continues to remain very low."
He added that Ghana will not consider imposing night-time curfews and partial lockdowns just as other countries have.
"When you take a close look at the measures some other countries are having to take, including imposing night-time curfews and partial lockdowns, declaring a state of emergencies, limiting the numbers of people permitted at public gatherings, and mandatorily fining persons for not wearing masks, all in the bid to contain the second wave of the virus, we, in Ghana, have been spared all these developments and restrictions. We must, thus, be doing something right" he stressed.
President Akufo-Addo further said "In fact, our favorable situation at the moment is thanks to the effectiveness of Government policies, the co-operation of you, the Ghanaian people, and, ultimately, to the grace of God. The science and data tell us that the trajectory of the virus in Ghana mirrors that of an epidemic with reduced disease activity. Our daily infection rates are no longer in the hundreds as they were sometime back. Presently, they are in the tens, averaging twenty-five (25) new cases per day, in the course of last week. This is in sharp contrast with what is happening in the countries that are experiencing a second wave of infections, where, in some instances, new infections and hospitalizations are, sadly, in the thousands per day."
He assured the country of his continuing commitment to limiting and stopping the importation of the virus, containing its spread, providing adequate care for the sick, slowing down community spread and reducing the impact of the virus on social and economic life.
Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith