Ghana to meet Chinese officials over coronavirus outbreak

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By Christabel Addo, GNA 

Accra, Jan 28, GNA – The African Diplomatic
Corps would soon meet with the World Health Organization to discuss protocols
required to be taken regarding over 4,600 African students currently residing
in the Wuhan province of China, the epi-centre of the disease outbreak.

Ghana’s Diplomatic Mission in China, is also
expected to meet with the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs to deliberate on
the outbreak of the deadly coronavirus infection, which hit the Asian country a
few days ago.

By last Sunday, January 26, the new
coronavirus had reportedly infected, at least, 2,463 people, caused at least 80
deaths, and spread to several countries, including Japan, Thailand, South
Korea, United Arab Emirate and USA with the latest hit nation being La Cote
d’Ivoire in Africa.

A statement signed by Mr Edward A. Boateng,
Ghana’s Ambassador to China, said the meeting which was scheduled on Monday
(Jan 27) would provide an opportunity for discussion on how best to manage the
situation.

The Ghana Embassy in Beijing said it was
seriously concerned about the well-being of Ghanaians living in the country and
was, therefore, closely monitoring the situation.

It advised the public against any form of
panic, and urged everyone to be each other’s keeper while sticking strictly to
all prescribed precautions.

“We have reached out to the International
Migration Organization and other organizations to see how best to address the
issue at hand,” the statement said.

It counselled Ghanaians living in China to
adhere to all health and safety protocols and also follow news updates on the
disease on authentic media sources such as CCTV News, BBC, CNN and the CGTN.

“Do not take information from unapproved
social media sources. Also, contact your doctor or known medical personnel if
you have any medical worries,” it added.

Meanwhile the Ministry of Health had earlier
announced that all passengers from China to Ghana shall undergo enhanced
screening and surveillance including administration of health
questionnaires as a preventive measure.

Health facilities have also been alerted to
prepare and manage cases in case of an outbreak.

A press release, which was signed by Mr
Minister, Kwaku Agyeman Manu, the Minister of Health, assured Ghanaians of
adequate in-country capacity to diagnose the infection at the Noguchi Memorial
Institute for Medical Research.

While the relevant institutions under the
Ghana Health Service, were collaborating with other sectors to stay vigilant
and maintain surveillance, particularly, at all port of entries.

It also advised the public to observe basic
hygiene practices such as regular handwashing with soap, keep distance from
persons showing signs of fever and immediately seek treatment upon suspicion of
infection.

GNA