Despite information made public by health experts regarding a spike in Covid-19 cases in Kumasi, the Ashanti regional capital, some residents believe otherwise.

JoyNews' checks revealed that although Leader of Global Health Infectious Diseases Research Group at KCCR, John Amuasi, and the Deputy Director in Charge of Public Health, Dr Michael Rockson Adjei, who spoke to the media house confirmed the recent surge, some residents have remained adamant in their opinions.

“If you look at the numbers in the Ashanti Region, it is already going up. I can tell you that over the past few weeks, we have seen a significant rise in the numbers of positive cases. With the pre-screening, half of them were positive,” Mr Amuasi said.

Residents in the regional capital have been blamed for the unfortunate development, which indicates that majority of the youth have contracted the deadly virus.

According to the health experts, residents have ceased to fully observe the Covid-19 safety protocols instituted by government after the second wave that hit the country in April was curtailed through government’s intervention.

“The populace are not doing something right. Quite about five weeks or more ago, especially when the vaccinations started, we realised that people had thrown caution to the wind. Out of every 10 people you meet, you find barely three of them wearing face mask,” Dr Adjei stated.

He noted that the average cases recorded per week is 35 as against the 20 cases recorded before the surge. Currently, 100 active cases have been reported.

Following this recent report, JoyNews hit the roads of Kumasi to interact with some residents to obtain the facts on the ground.

Opinions shared by many of those interviewed revealed, that as far as they are concerned, the virus which has claimed the lives of about 794 Ghanaians, since its outbreak in March 2020, in the country, does not exist.

“There is no virus called coronavirus. It is just that they want to steal our monies that is why they are doing all these things. There is nothing called coronavirus in this country. Let us live our lives. Our politicians are using the virus for business, nothing else. So I don't know the reason I should observe the protocols,” a resident said.

Another held the view that with the ongoing 2020 UEFA European Football Championship, the pandemic is simply a farce since the foreign countries that first encountered the deadly virus have lowered their guards by hosting the tournament which is characterised by large gatherings.

“The way the media was preaching about this coronavirus pandemic, nowadays, I have not been hearing it. So I think it is gone for good,” a third resident who interacted with JoyNews added.

Officials of government, earlier in June, were chastised for failing to observe the Covid-19 safety protocols during the funeral of the former General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie known to many as Sir John.

We are still looking for someone in Kumasi or Kwabre East District, so we can file a police report on the disgraceful breach of covid protocols by Government Officials at the Late Sir John's funeral!

Are there people there, who want to mobilize with #FixTheCountry?

We need you! pic.twitter.com/kgWEgu5vFg

— Fixthecountry (@Ghfixthecountry) June 7, 2021

President Akufo-Addo, Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and Chief Justice Kwasi Anin-Yeboah were among renowned dignitaries who graced the occasion.

This incident, according to a resident, is reason for his disbelief in the existence of the pandemic.

He noted that government cannot set double standards by encouraging Ghanaians through his addresses to wear facemasks, observe social distancing among others but fail to do so in broad daylight.

Meanwhile, Presidential Advisor on Health, Dr. Anthony Nsiah-Asare has said individuals who participated in the late Sir John’s funeral are being monitored daily.