Strategies adopted by Ghana during first and second waves of COVID-19 in Ghana

Abstract

Though developed countries were the most hit by COVID-19, Sub-Saharan Africa has had a fair share of the pandemic. A year after recording its first two cases, Ghana has recorded over 90,000 cases with over 700 deaths. This write-up describes the enhanced contact tracing and surveillance strategies the country implemented during the first and second wave of COVIID-19 pandemic in Ghana. The standard contact tracing algorithm for COVID-19 was adopted by the country during the initial stages of the pandemic. As the pandemic progressed, the enhanced surveillance strategy which laid emphasis on active and reactive case detection was then introduced with the aim of detecting all COVID-19 infections and ensuring immediate response to them. Adaptation of these strategies in the first wave of COVID-19 in Ghana were marked by achievements including gaining global commendation for the approaches used in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic. As COVID-19 cases declined, some pitfalls in the response during the first phase led the country to experiencing the second wave of infections. With the start of the second wave, response strategies had to be revisited and revamped to address the increasing infection rates. Ghana has experienced two major waves of COVID-19 since the emergence of the pandemic. From using basic strategies such as contact tracing, other strategies such as enhanced surveillance, mapping of risk zone and enforcing of protocols such as mandatory wearing of face masks. Adaptation of dynamic strategies base