OBJECTIVE PERSPECTIVES FROM PROFESSOR DOUGLAS BOATENG. PART -1

High recovery rate may provide optimism in the midst of wide spread fear and despair “Covid-19” or “Coronavirus (aka SAR-COV-2) are the words on the tip of everyone’s tongues the world over.

Global infection rates continue to climb and many countries have been forced to implement full and partial lockdown conditions to try and contain the pandemic.

In Ghana, an increase in SAR-CO-2 (ie. Coronavirus) infections was expected and infection rates will continue to climb as enhanced purposive testing is rolled out across the country. This certainly does not mean all infected with SAR-COV-2 (ie. Coronavirus) will convert to the associated disease called COVID-19. The intensified testing is essential if we are to build a reliable database and provide the data needed for ongoing research and drug and vaccine development.

As of April 13, the mortality rate in Ghana as a percentage of known infections remained below 1.45%. South Africa had a similar mortality rate at 1.2% and the global mortality rate stood at 6.2%.

Known infections as a percentage of Ghana’s total population remained below 0.002% and serious and critical cases stood at 0.35%.

As at April 15 there have been 83 full recoveries from COVID-19 in Ghana. This represents 13% of known infections and rising. The key now is to focus on the recovery rate as a percentage of the total infections.

I am hopeful that this rate, which can be determined through ongoing data collection and mining, will show that Ghana is experiencing a relatively high recovery rate. This will provide Ghanaians with a more positive outlook on the COVID-19 disease. Collectively we will win this battle. May the Almighty continue bless and protect Ghana and the rest of the world.  Keep hope alive stay safe and blessed.

The higher the recovery rate the more hope and optimism we can attain for our beloved Ghana. This, I believe, will assist with the gradual replacement of the partial lockdown with an adapted and workable form of social distancing that protect the health and wellbeing of our people while at the same time allowing our economy to recover.  

The social and economic consequences of this global pandemic have been unprecedented. Lives are being lost and economies are struggling.

But Ghana, with our very limited resources, has already achieved so much in the battle against the virus and we must continue to act to ensure that we emerge collectively from this crisis as a stronger and more self-sufficient nation.

Professor Douglas Boateng, Africa’s first-ever appointed Professor Extraordinaire for supply and value chain management (SBL UNISA), is an International Professional Chartered Director and an adjunct academic.