… summary of the facts as at April 19

Death rate in Ghana as a percentage of known infections has dropped 1.45 percent from to 0.86 percent. In South Africa it has increased from 1.2 percent to 1.7 percent and globally from 6.2 percent to 6.9 percent.

As expected, due to increased testing, known infections as a percentage of Ghana’ total population has increased from 0.002 percent to 0.003 percent; in South Africa from 0.004 percent to 0.005 percent. Globally, it has increased 0.025 percent to 0.030 percent.

Serious and critical cases globally have decreased from 2.6 percent to 2.3 percent. In Ghana it has increased from 0.35 percent to 0. 38 percent. and in South Africa from 0.3 percent to 1.19 percent. Again please note that like the rest of the world, Ghanaians and Africans are already developing antibodies and immunity to the virus. SAR-COV-2 is here to stay. Like the influenza(flu) viruses: (A, B, C & D) Coronavirus will be part of our daily life’s forever.

Recovery rates will most likely become the benchmark for most countries. For example, the higher the recovery rate in a country the more likelihood that tourists will be prepared to visit a county. Recovery rate also has a direct impact on foreign direct investment into a country.

Hopefully with vaccines and medications, its long term impact will be kept at a minimum. It is imperative that government start putting appropriate systems in place to collect ongoing purposive data for informed decision making that will help determine the funding that will be regularly required for amongst others public health infrastructure development and management.

In summary, the Government of Ghana is doing relatively well with the purposive testing, tracing and overall management of the SAR-COV-2 (ie Coronavirus and the associated disease (ie COVID-19).

For the record, to date, only South Africa has officially reported more purposive testing than Ghana in sub Saharan Africa. We just need to further intensify our testing plus constantly remind the population to respect the need for meaningful and workable social distancing, encourage further improvements in personal hygiene, wearing of face protection masks, regularly wash our hands, plus isolate the infected for a defined period.

Finally, Ghanaians must be constantly made aware that testing negative today does not necessarily mean that one will be still be negative in 48 to 72 hours. (Unless the individual has been infected before and already developed some immunity and antibodies). Therefore, each one of us has to be constantly on the guard.

Congratulation to the President and the Government for pushing for more tracing and purposive testing, plus the relative success of the partial lockdown. Without doubt, we will win the battle against this “cunning and elusive beast” and work towards achieving Ghana Beyond Aid. May the Almighty continue to bless our beloved Ghana and the entire world. Keep hope alive, stay safe and blessed.

>>>The writer is an expert in global supply chain and logistics management