The Volta Regional Director of the Ghana Health Services (GHS) has advised against relying on local gin also known as 'Akpeteshie' and garlic to fight off coronavirus infection.

Dr Timothy Letsa said it has not been clinically proven that both items are agents that would prevent a human from contracting the deadly virus, neither can they cure the virus infection. 

He, therefore, urged the citizenry to adhere to preventive measures and use the prescribed protective items to guard against the spread of the pandemic coronavirus. 

Dr Letsa gave the advice at a stakeholders’ forum on the preparations of the coronavirus pandemic in the Volta Region. 

The GHS boss indicated that “this [virus] is going into the airwaves and you are drinking into your alimentary canal...so the two are different” 

He also debunked claims that steaming of oneself with hot water would treat the virus infection since experts say the COVID-19 cannot survive in areas of high temperatures. 

“The [coronavirus] patients themselves have temperatures of 39 ℃, 40 ℃ etc but the virus has not died."

Dr Letsa fears the misinformation on the pandemic which had caused fear and panic across the world would hinder efforts to control and contain the spread of the virus.

"In fact, as far as the coronavirus is concerned, I think the fear and panic is more deadly than the virus itself,” he added.  

Dr Letsa, therefore, advised the citizenry to adopt high personal hygienic lifestyles such as hand washing, healthy diet, physical exercises, and the avoidance of stress, to guard against contracting the virus.

On his part, the Volta Regional Minister, Dr Archibald Yao Letsa, outlined that relevant stakeholders have been adequately prepared for rapid emergency response through several simulation exercises. 

He further indicated that a quarantine centre has been established to deal with suspected coronavirus cases in the region. 

“People who come in from outside and refuse to go self-quarantine, the security services will help us to bring them into quarantine”, he assured. 

Dr Letsa, however, advised health and hospitality officials to exhibit professionalism is handling suspected cases at their respective facilities not to create fear and panic.