Ghana has recorded 271 new cases of COVID-19, a week after lifting the lockdown in Accra, the country’s capital city, and Kumasi.
The cases which were confirmed on Sunday brings the total number recorded in the country to 1,550.
GhanaWeb quotes the Ghana Health Service (GHS) as saying that while a total number of 11 people have died from the disease, 155 have recovered.
The service said 62 per cent of infected persons are male while 38 per cent are female. It also said 84 per cent of the cases have no travel history.
This further questions President Nana Addo Akufo-Addo’s decision to lift the lockdown one week ago in two cities, citing improved coronavirus testing and the “severe” impact of the restrictions on the poor and vulnerable in the country.
In a televised address, Akufo-Addo said the decision did not mean the government was letting its guard down, saying existing bans on public gatherings and school closure were still in place.
He urged Ghanaians to wear masks when going outside and to continue adhering to social distancing measures in public places.
Meanwhile, West African neighbours Nigeria anticipates an extension to its current lockdown which elapses on Monday night.
Most parts of Africa’s most populous nation witnessed restriction in the movement for four weeks.
President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to address the nation on the progress of the coronavirus war and more importantly, the situation as regards the lockdown.
Nigeria has recorded 1,273 cases with 40 deaths.
