The family of a person who has tested positive for Covid-19 in Kumasi are worried they may contract the disease after their relative was compelled to self-isolate at home.

The wife of the patient, Cynthia [not her real name] said her husband is now in a separate room at home where she periodically goes in with a face mask to administer drugs.

“My husband tested positive for Covid-19 last week and he was asked to self isolate because the isolation centre is full.

"So we have been keeping him in the house together with rest of the family...but we fear that we will contract the virus],” she said.

The patient was reportedly referred from Suntreso Hospital to Kumasi South Hospital only to be told the isolation centre could not accommodate him.

Narrating the incidence she said, “We had to rush him to the Suntrseo Hospital because he is an asthmatic patient and had difficulty breathing. When the nurses realised he was a Covid-19 patient upon arrival, we were referred to Kumasi South Hospital.”

“We came in with our private car so we were asked to drive to the Kumasi South Hospital where upon reaching there the doctors told us that the holding rooms and isolation rooms are full, so we should return home.”

The woman lamented her only fear is that the rest of the family, mainly children may be infected.

Medical Superintendent at Suntreso Hospital, Dr Thomas Agyarko-Poku, will not comment on the specific issue but indicates circumstances under which a patient will be referred.

“The protocol is that when you test for Covid-19 and the condition is mild you are asked to self- isolate,’’ he pointed out.

Dr Agyarko -Poku explains that, “the isolation centers are almost full, therefore, it is prudent additional facilities are earmarked as isolation centers, as the numbers keep surging.”