Two hundred and fourteen health workers in the Northern Region have so far tested positive for the novel coronavirus disease.

Eight new cases have been recorded in the second wave that has hit the country.

Six of the cases were recorded from the district health directories while the two came from a hospital.

Speaking to JoyNews, the Northern Regional Deputy Director of Public Health of the Ghana Health Service, Hilarious Abiwu said all eight cases were recorded in a day.

He added that 40 samples have so far been taken for testing following contact tracing of the eight cases.

Dr Abiwu observed that the health workers are motivated to continue providing services to the people as the region has not recorded any death among them.

He also assured that the health worker would continue to observe the necessary protocol to keep themselves safe.

The Deputy Director of the region, however, raised concerns about total disregard of Covid-19 protocol by the people of the region.

He said a survey conducted in October 2020 by the health directorate in schools, government agencies and market places indicated a total disregard of the safety protocol.

Dr Abiwu noted that 80 per cent of the markets did not have the handwashing stand for people to wash their hands, neither were they adhering to the other safety protocols.

In the schools surveyed, he observed that only about 40 per cent of the people were adhering to the protocols.

He said as health workers they will continue to create the awareness on the need for people to observe the protocols but that is the only level they can go.

The Deputy Public Health Director said the police have assured they will crack the whip on those who disregard the rules.