Deputy Minister of Health, Dr. Bernard Okoe Boye has revealed that six new coronavirus cases have been recorded at the Kotoka International Airport since its reopening.
In an interview with Emefa Apawu on The Lockdown programme on JoyNews yesterday, he stated that first case was recorded on friday, while two cases on saturday and three cases on sunday.
According to Dr. Oko-Boye, those who were infected reported negative PCR test from their host countries.
He stated that these cases were detected because of the $150 Covid-19 test government insisted on for travellers.
“All our troubles in Ghana started with just about four or five cases. So, really those who are talking about $150, if we had gone for a compromised technology and those with negative PCR tests had slipped in, all we need is one gentleman who is positive with a viral load, that is huge, visit us in this country and we are back to a lockdown.”
His comment was in defense of measures put in place by the government ahead of the reopening of the country’s airport to traffic.
Among other directives, travellers had been tasked to take a PCR test 72 hours prior to visiting the country and also undergo a $150 antigen test after landing.
Many people raised concerns about the price of the test being conducted at the airport.
However, Dr. Oko Boye insists the amount is fair.
“I always say that the alternative, that is having one person slip in with the virus, is so serious, too grave to contemplate. Remember that we didn’t go in for the product and the price, smiling and all excited,” he said.
So far, Ghana has record 43, 693 cases of Covid-19 with 283 deaths.
