President Nana Akufo-Addo has revealed that eight persons diagnosed with the deadly coronavirus disease, are being taken care of in their respective homes by health professionals.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) approves safe home care for patients with suspected coronavirus also called COVID-19, who present with mild symptoms, with strict adherence to the approved guidelines.

In his third televised address to the nation on the coronavirus pandemic on Saturday night, the President said the 18 others whose cases are being managed at the various designated centres in Accra and Kumasi, are also responding to treatment.

It was his third national broadcast to provide an update on measures being taken to minimise the spread of the virus which currently stands at 21 cases with one death, as of Saturday, March 21, 2020.

Nana Akufo-Addo also announced the closure of the country’s land, sea and land borders beginning midnight of Sunday.

It is to help reduce further escalation of the infection rate in the country, he explained.

“Fellow Ghanaians, all that the government is doing is intended to achieve five key objectives: limit and stop the importation of the virus, contain its spread, provide adequate care for the sick, limit the impact of the virus on social and economic life, and inspire the expansion of our domestic capabilities and deepen our self-reliance.”

The closure will, however, not apply to goods.

Widespread support

The President further commended the public, including both the Majority and Minority sides of Parliament, for the extensive show of support towards measures being implemented by the government which aims at ensuring the spread of the disease is not heightened.

“There are obvious difficulties ahead of us and we should all brace ourselves to face them,” he stated.

He reechoed his determination “…to take whatever steps are necessary to safeguard our society, our economy and our future. I remain confident that together and by the grace of God, we shall overcome. This too shall pass.”