Covid-19 Update: Ghana Conducts 129,461 Tests

The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has announced that 129,461 Coronavirus (Covid-19) tests have been conducted in the country as at May 5.

This includes a backlog of some 18,000 samples at the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR).

Professor William Ampofo, head of the Virology Department of NMIMR speaking at a press briefing in Accra, said the center no longer has a backlog of samples to test.

He further noted that a backlock of 1,982 samples to be tested by the Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research (KCCR), will also be cleared by Thursday May 7.

Prof. Ampofo said with additional testing centers coming on board, the country will be able to give test results within 24 hours.

He also hinted that the GHS was working with the health directorate in the Western Region to establish another testing center at the Veterinary Service Department in Takoradi and the Afia Nkwanta Hospital.

“Looking at the testing centers by the end of May we can have every region testing for Covid-19, ” he said.

Ghana has recorded 2,719 cases of Covid-19 with 18 deaths.

The country has however recorded 294 recoveries with 200 more awaiting confirmation test results.

By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri