The former Vice Chancellor of the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), Professor Fred Newton Binka, has advocated a strict compliance to the ‘No Mask, No Entry’ policy, particularly in the Greater Accra Region, to slow the increasing spread of coronavirus in the country.
He said since there is no known vaccine to stop the virus’ spread, face masks should be considered as such and be worn all the time.
“[This is] because it is the only tool that we have today to stop the virus,” he insisted on The Key Points on TV3/3FM on Saturday, June 13.
He made this recommendation in the wake of the recent spike in the number of cases in the country.
In the last seven days, the country’s case count has risen from 9,462 on Saturday, June 6 to 11,118 on Saturday, June 13.
The number of deaths within that same period has been six.
Though no reason has been given for the increasing numbers, Prof Binka said the situation should be a major worry to all Ghanaians, especially as new infections involve health workers.
He has, therefore, insisted that the wearing of face masks must be made mandatory “even if we have to add the army to the police to enforce it”.
The renowned epidemiologist explained that by the nature of the virus, most people may be deceived into thinking it has been overcome and guards will be let down.
“This is how the virus operates. It takes us into a sense of security. We have pushed the economic issues and if it takes over, there is nothing we can do.”
He said by the current number, the country may be having an estimated 25,000 in the system.
By Emmanuel Kwame Amoh|3news.com|Ghana