The government has been urged to intensify its Covid-19 testing at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) and communities in the country following reported cases of the new Delta variant recorded at the airport.

In a press statement dated June 22, the Ghana Health Service (GHS) conveyed that six returnees have tested positive for the Delta variant at the KIA, however, none has been recorded in communities.

Despite these reports, Anesthesiologist, Dr. Samuel Kojo Amoakohene speaking on The Pulse, Wednesday, has called for more stringent measures to be undertaken since the efficiency of the antigen testing is 90 percent.

"For Ghana, our first defense is at the airport and I think it is a great thing the country is able to do aggressive testing, very sensitive antigen testing which is going to pick up about 90 percent of the positive cases you have.

"Obviously, that is not 100 per cent and so whatever positives you have, one can safely assume there may be one, two or a few cases you may not be able to pick up. On the flight, I got tested, and at the airport, I get tested again but on the flight, I may have picked viral particles. You may not be able to see because my body hasn't been full infected yet.

"So I will be allowed to go home and obviously once I get into the community, although I have been told I'm negative, now I am going to be able to pass it on," he told Gifty Andoh Appiah.

To buttress his point, he referenced the inability of the United States of America at the emergence of the pandemic to strengthen its testing at its states over the assertion that it had carried out efficient testing at the airports to prevent any further spread.

Dr Amoakohene added that recording such cases should be a wake-up call for state health institutions to expedite their preparations to curb the spread of the new variant should it have found its way into communities.

"It is good that we are doing aggressive testing at the airport but it is also important to recognize that the moment you begin to pick them up at the airport, you have to then step up your preparation," he advised.

In combating Covid-19 for more than a year across the globe, the Anesthesiologist held the assertion that government should be aware that being proactive at the forefront is the key to the fight against the new variant.