COVID-19 Statistics in Ghana
The COVID-19 pandemic has left an indelible mark on the world, and Ghana has not been immune to its impact. Over the course of the pandemic, researchers at the West Africa Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens of the University of Ghana diligently worked to understand the spread of the virus within the population by providing us important information of the COVID-19 Statistics in Ghana. Through seroprevalence studies, led by Professor Gordon Awandare, they uncovered valuable insights into the level of COVID-19 exposure and immunity among Ghanaians during different time periods. In his professorial inaugural address on June 8, 2023, Professor Awandare presented these findings, to shed light on the evolving COVID-19 story in Ghana.
COVID-19 Statistics in Ghana from August 2020 to January 2021
From August 2020 to January 2021, the first seroprevalence study in Ghana, provided a glimpse into the nation’s COVID-19 exposure. The results revealed a seroprevalence rate of 18.6%. This means that approximately 18.6% of the population had developed COVID-19 antibodies during that period. While this rate indicated a notable number of individuals with past infections, the majority of the population remained susceptible to the virus.
COVID-19 Statistics in Ghana from June 2021 to September 2021
As the pandemic continued its course, another seroprevalence study conducted from June 2021 to September 2021 painted a different picture. The findings showed a significant rise in seroprevalence, with the rate reaching 47.8%. This sharp increase suggested a surge in COVID-19 exposure and subsequent immune responses among Ghanaians. The higher seroprevalence rate indicated that nearly half of the population had been exposed to the virus by this time, either through confirmed infections or asymptomatic cases.
COVID-19 Statistics in Ghana from January 2022 to March 2022
The seroprevalence study conducted from January 2022 to March 2022 showed gradual progress to herd immunity. The seroprevalence rate soared to an impressive 83%. This significant increase indicated that a substantial majority of Ghanaians had developed COVID-19 antibodies during this period. Such a high seroprevalence rate likely resulted from both infections and vaccinations.
COVID-19 Vaccination in Ghana
By March 8, 2021, Ghana’s Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) had granted Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to two COVID-19 vaccines for use in the country: Oxford-AstraZenica/Covishield (Serum Institute of India) and Sputnik V Vaccines (Generium Joint Stock Company, Russia). The Ghanaian government also participated in the COVAX scheme, a WHO-led pooled global procurement mechanism, to receive 600,000 doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine on February 24, 2021. Subsequently, a second batch of 350,000 doses of the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines arrived on May 7, 2021. The government’s goal was to vaccinate at least 60% of the estimated 31 million residents by the end of 2021 to attain herd immunity. As of the June 2022, the number of persons fully vaccinated stands at 6,950,095, while 10,223,563 individuals have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. As of June 2023, 25,742,426 COVID-19 vaccine doses has been administered. These figures underscore the significant progress made in immunization, reflecting the nation’s commitment to combating the virus.
Conclusion
Seroprevalence studies provide invaluable insights into Ghana’s battle against COVID-19. The data, presented during Professor Gordon Awandare’s professorial inaugural address, paints a vivid picture of the evolving immunity levels within the population over time. The knowledge gained from these studies will play a pivotal role in shaping future strategies for disease control and protection.
References
Awuni, J. A., Ayamga, M., & Dagunga, G. (2022). Covid-19 vaccination intentions among literate Ghanaians: Still the need to dissipate fear and build trust on vaccine efficacy? PLoS One, 17(6), e0270742. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0270742
Sure, here is a citation for the Ghana Health Service’s COVID-19 website:
Ghana Health Service. (2023, July 29). COVID-19 Updates. Retrieved from https://www.ghs.gov.gh/covid19/
