Playback: Covid-19 Delta variant in Ghana: Averting a third wave

The Delta variant of Covid-19, which is considered the most contagious variant has been detected in Ghana.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has classified this coronavirus variant, first found in India last year, as a “variant of global concern”.

This variant has caused huge spikes in India and a serious increase in cases in the UK even though large sections of the population in those countries are vaccinated.

 After the detection of the Delta variant, the Head of the West Africa Center for Cell Biology and Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP) of the University of Ghana, Professor Gordon Awendare revealed that AstraZeneca and Sputnik V vaccines are less effective against the Indian variant.

Therefore government should tighten controls at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) to stop importation of the variant as well as enforce the Covid-19 preventive protocols to curb its spread.

On that note, Joy News’ Evans Mensah hosted the following guests; Director-General of Ghana Health Service, Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, Immunologist at West African Center for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens of University of Ghana, Dr Yaw Bediako, Leader of Global Health and Infectious Diseases Research Group at KCCR, Dr John Amuasi, Pharmacist and CDD fellow in Health, Dr Kwame Asiedu Sarpong for tonight’s discussion at 9.00pm