The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has stated that the Covid-19 testing facility at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) is able to detect the new strain of Covid-19 spreading from Europe.
This was also confirmed by the Foods and Drugs Authority (FDA).
The service, however, has urged that to be on the safer side, the country must do everything possible to ensure that the new variant is not imported into the country.
"We know that there’s a new strain which according to studies is a bit more efficient in terms of transmission from one person to the other. What has not been proven so far is whether this causes a more severe disease than the previous one," Director General of the service, Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye said.
This comment comes after news broke that other variants of the novel coronavirus have been detected in some parts of Europe, Japan and South Africa.
Scientists say the new strain has dozens of mutations including genetic changes in the spike protein that the coronavirus uses to infect human cells. It is also said to be up to 70% more contagious.
Throwing more light on the matter, Dr Kuma Aboagye stated that the new strain is yet to be identified in Ghana.
However, he is optimistic that with the measures in place at the country's international air border, the risk of the new variant being imported into the country is very low.
"We in Ghana have not identified it here. But because of our double tier testing system at the airport, we believe that if these people who go home on isolation adhere to the protocols we should be protected from bringing in that strain into the country," he said.
That notwithstanding, he has assured that should the new strain be identified in the country, the health service will do everything in its power to contain it.
Latest Stories
-
Six universities now offer AICPA & CIMA’s CGMA Finance Leadership Program in Ghana
36 seconds -
World Health Organization (WHO) Mauritius launches set of health priorities for new two years
22 mins -
7 tips from Kaspersky on what to do if someone tries to hack you
25 mins -
Northern Ghana to experience another bout of dust pollution – Ghana Meteorological Agency warns
46 mins -
Mukuru distributes millions in aid to vulnerable Africans
50 mins -
Kwaku Antwi-Boasiako: Is Anti-LGBT+ Bill more supreme than the 1992 Constitution?
54 mins -
Mahama promises to build university in six new regions
1 hour -
Mahama promises to enhance ‘Okada’ business with electric tricycles, maintains need for legalisation
1 hour -
Ghana’s land litigation concerns presents threat to solar energy projects
1 hour -
African Games 2023: Joseph Commey makes semis; Walid Omar, two others eliminated in boxing event
1 hour -
African Games: Ghana’s men’s doubles duo one win from medal zone
1 hour -
More tough times ahead for Ghana’s cedi; cedi is 3rd worst currency in Africa – Bloomberg
1 hour -
IMF Boss urges Ghana to foster inclusive society amid anti-LGBTQ+ legislation
2 hours -
Recent depreciation of cedi not worrying; trend to reverse soon – Prof Turkson
2 hours -
We won’t allow aliens to elect our MP for us anymore – Effutu NDC PC James Kofi Annan
2 hours