The Ghana Health Service (GHS) says the country did not record any COVID-19 deaths in October.
It said the updated COVID-19 related deaths announced were not recent, but it was as a result of an ongoing COVID-19 data reconciliation being done in all regions to usher in the next phase of measures to tackle the pandemic.
Dr Franklin Asiedu-Bekoe, Head of Disease Surveillance Department, GHS, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Accra, said the 17 deaths recorded in October occurred between July and September 2020.
He said although no new COVID-19 death had been recorded recently, there was a marginal increase in active cases as people got more interactive and refused to observe the COVID-19 safety protocols.
From October 17 to 27, the number of active COVID-19 cases increased from 397 to 566 in 11 out of the 16 regions, with Greater Accra Region recording the highest of 361 active cases.
Dr Asiedu-Bekoe said about 64 new infections had been recorded due to the failure of people to adhere to the COVID-19 prevention protocols.
“Now, we are in a campaign season and it’s difficult for people to wear the face mask, observe social distancing, but it’s a must-do activity to wear a mask, the disease is still here and people are still getting infected,” he said.
The Public Health Director said the world was witnessing a second wave of the pandemic and said it was important the citizenry strictly observe the protocols.
“It is a challenge because the average Ghanaian is thinking the disease is not here anymore, but what we are saying is that the disease infection is low and can rise to any level depending on public behaviour,” he said.
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