Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah says many have argued that political rallies and campaigns caused the rapid rise in Covid-19 cases but the data available shows otherwise.
He comments comes on the back of the recent surge in cases in the country.
President Akufo-Addo addressed the nation on January 17, 2021, and said the nation currently has 120 severe cases and 33 critical cases.
Mr Oppong Nkrumah speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosiisen on January 18, 2021, said the data available to them does not support the argument that the recent rise in cases is down to political rallies.
“We work with data, what the data shows us is what we work with. There are some arguments that sound good to the ears, they are reasonable but the data will not support that argument. For instance, if you really want to measure, take one week to the election and one week after the election plus even the demonstrations in the country, what you must look at is what does the data show within that period. Many are saying the political rallies caused the recent rise but if you look at the data it does not support that argument”
Meanwhile, the Ghana Health Service is recording an average of 200 new cases of COVID-19 infections daily with the number of patients requiring hospitalization and intensive care is rising.
13 out of the 16 regions have recorded active cases with a nationwide case count pegged at 1,924 currently.
The number of confirmed deaths has increased, 338 persons to 352.
Meanwhile, President Akufo-Addo also revealed that the country has recorded the new strain of the disease.
According to him, the variant was recorded among passengers who tested positive after arriving at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) recently.
“Furthermore, work is ongoing to determine the presence and extent of spread of the new variants in the general population,” the President added.
