Ghana’s Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has confirmed a recent surge in COVID-19 cases, primarily linked to an outbreak at the University of Ghana campus in Legon.
Addressing Parliament on Tuesday, the Minister revealed that 107 cases had been confirmed out of 316 suspected samples, with the Omicron variant identified as the dominant strain behind the outbreak.
“As of now, 316 suspected cases, 107 of those cases have been confirmed as COVID-19. Fortunately, there have been no hospitalisations and no reported deaths,” Mr. Akandoh said.
The Minister explained that the outbreak remains largely confined to the university community and has not significantly spread to other parts of Accra or the country. He attributed the rise in infections to recent Hall Week celebrations at the university, where large gatherings occurred with limited observance of COVID-19 safety protocols.
“After sending in a team to investigate, we found a few key issues that fuelled the spread. The most significant factor was the recent Hall Week celebrations held at the University. These events brought large crowds together, with little use of face masks or distancing,” he stated.
In response to the outbreak, the Ministry of Health has activated a national response team to work in collaboration with university authorities and municipal health officials. Meetings have also been held with the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, as well as heads of the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research and the School of Public Health.
As part of immediate containment measures, all upcoming Hall Week events on campus have been suspended. Health alerts have also been issued nationwide, urging medical facilities to remain vigilant for potential cases.
A comprehensive public education campaign is underway on the University of Ghana campus, utilizing posters, student leadership platforms, and campus radio stations to promote adherence to public health protocols.
The Minister urged the general public to remain cautious and continue observing preventive measures, including proper hand hygiene, wearing face masks in crowded spaces, and receiving COVID-19 vaccinations and booster shots.
“Avoid gatherings if you are sick,” Mr. Akandoh advised.
Health authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as efforts intensify to contain the outbreak and prevent wider community transmission.
