The Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis is said to be the epicentre of Covid -19 in the Western Region, having recorded 10 positive cases as at Thursday May 7.
Health officials have expressed fears that this situation would get out of hands if the residents fail to strictly observe all precautionary measures against spread of the pandemic.
According to Dr Atsu Dodoo, a Deputy Regional Director of Health in-charge of Clinical Care, the twin-city is sitting on a time bomb with regard to Covid -19 infections.
In an interview with journalists, Dr Dodoo said four out of the region’s newly confirmed five cases are from Sekondi-Takoradi, with the remaining one coming from the Effia-Kwesimintim municipality.
End stigmatisation
He reiterated that the twin-city would keep recording higher cases, if the residents fail to adhere to precautionary measures and also stop stigmatising those infected, stressing that stigmatisation would discourage the infected from declaring their status but continue staying among the people to spread the virus.
In spite of the numerous calls on the residents to adhere to simple precautionary measures against Covid-19, most of them are refusing to do so with flimsy excuses.
The situation is even worse at market places and fishing communities where people do not see any wisdom in wearing nose masks or observing social distancing.
Compliance
This attitude has pushed the security agencies onto the streets to enforce compliance. The Western Region has 35 positive Covid -19 cases, with 237 pending ones. The Wassa East district, Amenfi Central, Amenfi West and Jomoro municipalities have fortunately recorded zero cases.
Dr Dodoo said most of the infected residents show no symptoms of the disease, which makes the situation even more dangerous. He said continuous screening at all check points and borders, particularly the Beposo toll booth, near Sekondi, and the Dunkwa -On-Offin border, between the Western and Ashanti regions, would also help control the spread of the virus.
