Director of the West African Center for Cell Biology and Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP), Professor Gordon Awandare has revealed that scientists are still trying to comprehend why Sub-Saharan countries do not record high number of COVID-19 cases despite the non-compliance to COVID-19 protocols.
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According to him, the closest findings might be that the region has a young generation or that the populace has been exposed to some pathogens that provide protection.
In an interview with Samuel Eshun on the Happy Morning Show, he explained: “If you look at the whole of Sub-Saharan Africa, the disease hasn’t been able to take hold as it has done in Southern Africa or Europe and USA. We think that a few things may be working in our favour. First, we have a younger population and we also think that in terms of the science, we may be benefiting from some protection from being exposed to other pathogens in the past. This is something we still have to investigate further but it seems like there is some protection that gives us more tolerance against inflammatory pathogens such as the one that causes COVID-19.
He, however, notes that scientists are yet to establish concrete evidence to support these notions.
“We are yet to get the scientific evidence but Sub-Saharan Africa has been largely spared and even when new variants come in and cases go up, after a few months we are able to bring it under control”.
Professor Gordon Awandare has, however, advised that despite this seeming “protection”, it is never wise to let down our guards. He encouraged the continuous wearing of mask and the strict adherence of the COVID-19 protocols.
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The Ghana Health Service has confirmed an outbreak of the highly transmissible COVID-19 strain, Delta variant, in a Senior High School in Accra.
The Director of Public Health at the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Franklin Asiedu-Bekoe, indicated that the affected students were mostly asymptomatic and are responding to treatment.
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The Delta variant, which originated from India, was initially said to have been contained at the Kotoka International Airport after it was detected among some travellers.
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Ghana’s active COVID-19 cases stand at 1,758 with 797 deaths.
By: Alberta Dorcas N D Armah