33 Ghanaians confirmed dead from CSM outbreak as country focuses on COVID-19

- Over 200 cases of cerebrospinal meningitis (CSM) have been recorded with 33 deaths in the Upper West Region alone

- According to the Upper West Regional Director of Health, the situation with the CSM outbreak is very worrying but not getting attention because of the COVID-19 pandemic

- Unlike COVID-19, CSM has effective treatments that are sure to save lives if the condition is detected early

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More than 200 cases of cerebrospinal meningitis have been recorded in Ghana with 33 Ghanaians confirmed dead in the Upper West Region alone as country battles COVID-19.

In a news report by Citifmonline.com, the Upper West Regional Director of Health, Dr Osei Kuffuor Afreh, mentions that the situation seems to be getting out of hand mainly because of the extreme focus on the coronavirus outbreak in the country.

Dr Osei Kuffuor Afreh indicates that his outfit has intensified education in the region after the 33 cerebrospinal meningitis deaths were recorded.

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Unlike the novel coronavirus, CSM has treatments that can be effectively carried out to prevent deaths if the condition is identified early and unfortunately, not only Upper West has recorded cases.

Weeks ago, CSM was reported to have killed four (4) people in the Bole District of the Savannah Region with nine (9) confirmed cases and another 23 suspected cases.

As of April 5, 2020, Ghana has recorded 214 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with five deaths. Greater Accra Region has most cases (189) followed by the Ashanti Region (12), Northern Region (10), Upper West Region (1), Eastern Region (1) and Upper East Region (1).

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In other news involving the Upper West's 'twin' region, the Upper East Regional Minister, Tangoba Abayage, has indicated that the patient who tested positive for the novel coronavirus in the region is actually a pregnant woman.

A report by Citifmonline confirms that the 33-year-old was diagnosed with novel coronavirus after she went to the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital with symptoms of COVID-19 after which her samples were taken to Kumasi Center for Collaborative Research and proved positive.

It is indicated that so far, 11 close contacts of the pregnant woman have been identified and are being followed for the adequate protocols to be carried out.

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Source: YEN.com.gh