By Daniel Bampoe
The Ministry of Health has confirmed a localized resurgence of COVID-19 infections at the University of Ghana, Legon, with Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh revealing that the outbreak stems largely from recent social activities on campus.
Speaking before Parliament on Tuesday, July 1, Akandoh disclosed that of 316 suspected cases identified within the university community, 107 have tested positive for COVID-19, all linked to the highly transmissible Omicron sub-variant.
Fortunately, no hospitalisations or fatalities have been recorded, and all affected individuals are reportedly responding well to treatment.
A Nation Still on Alert
Although the World Health Organization has declared COVID-19 no longer a global public health emergency, the virus remains a threat under certain conditions.
Ghana, having maintained its disease surveillance infrastructure post-pandemic, has now reaped the benefits of that vigilance.
“Our influenza surveillance system detected the increase in suspected cases, and the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research confirmed them as COVID-19, specifically the Omicron variant,” the minister explained.
The Omicron variant, while known for its rapid spread, has largely resulted in mild symptoms among infected individuals.
Cause of Outbreak: Hall Week Celebrations to Blame
Akandoh attributed the spike to Hall Week celebrations held recently on the University of Ghana campus, which saw large gatherings of students and guests with minimal adherence to COVID-19 protocols such as mask-wearing and physical distancing.
“Mr. Speaker, we sent in a team to investigate and discovered that the celebrations were the main catalyst for the spread,” he said.
The Ministry, in collaboration with Ghana Health Service (GHS), the Noguchi Institute, and the School of Public Health, swiftly deployed a national response team to partner with university and local health authorities.
This included suspending all remaining hall week activities and launching an aggressive public education campaign across campus, using student leadership structures, posters, and campus radio.
In response to the outbreak, the Ministry of Health has activated the following interventions:
Nationwide alerts to all health facilities.
Enhanced testing and surveillance on the university campus.
Support to the Legon Hospital and the University’s Student Clinic.
Reinforcement of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) supply.
Ongoing training for frontline health workers.
Continuous tracking of infection data.
Preparations at the Ghana Infectious Disease Centre to manage any potential severe cases.
While COVID-19 vaccines are no longer part of routine immunisation, Akandoh assured that government is taking steps to procure vaccines specifically for at-risk populations.
He encouraged those who haven’t received booster shots to do so, especially amid this resurgence.
“For those eligible, treatment like Paxlovid is available, and most cases, thankfully, do not require hospitalisation. People can recover at home with the appropriate care,” he added.
Rising Seasonal Flu and MPOX Cases Also on Radar
The Health Minister further updated Parliament on concurrent public health concerns, including a seasonal rise in influenza and reported cholera cases, urging Ghanaians to maintain strict hygiene practices.
Additionally, he disclosed that Ghana has recorded 133 confirmed MPOX (formerly monkeypox) cases, mostly concentrated in the Western, Greater Accra, and Western North regions.
He noted that these cases have not resulted in any deaths or hospitalisations.
No Panic
“This is not 2020. We are not facing a new virus,” Akandoh emphasized. “We know the virus, we know how it behaves, and we know how to manage it. We just need to work together to control its spread.”
He called on the public to remain calm, observe preventive measures, and rely on verified information from health authorities.
