Dr. Samuel Essien-Baidoo, a virologist at University of Cape Coast (UCC), has called on parents to regularly test their children’s sense of smell and taste in order to pursue rapid medical attention as these are some of the “surest” Covid-19 symptoms, apart from the high fever.
Dr Essien-Baidoo, who was speaking in an interview on Connect FM’s Orokodo Kasaebo on Tuesday, February 9, assured parents that there is no cause for alarm, even though reports of Covid-19 infections continue to occur in some schools and children.
For example, 73 out of 553 students tested positive at Akosombo International School (AIS) in the Eastern Region, including some staffs.
Many parents have expressed concern about the safety of their children in schools, calling on government to close down the schools again as a safety measure.
But Dr. Essien-Baidoo believes there is no cause for alarm.
“There has been a lot of Covid-19 education to the extent that even 4 to 5-year-olds are aware of the disease, so all the parents should also play their part by continuing the Covid education at home,” he admonished.
In response to a question on how parents can easily identify the Covid-19 symptoms to enable them seek quick medical attention for their wards, he said that apart from the high fever, they should also be testing for their sense of taste and smell.
“When the child returns from school, after hands have been washed and all the necessary protocols carried out, you let him or her taste something and also smell something to ensure all the senses are working.
“But this should be done skillfully in order not to make the child panic because the psychological aspect is very important so you don’t put unnecessary fear in the child,” he added.
In a related development, Executive Director of Child Rights International Bright Kweku Appiah has called on parents to “join in the fight against Covid-19 by ensuring that children going to school or interacting with their friends do so under strict adherence to the protocols”.
In a press release titled “COVID19, STATE OF CHILDREN IN GHANA”, he indicated that a research by his outfit in collaboration with medical experts reveals Ghana has not reached the level of risk to determine whether schools should be closed down or not.
However, there must be effective strategies in place to reduce the spread of the virus and measures to provide first class services for children affected.
The country’s total active cases as at February 10, 2021 stands at 6,938, 675 new cases and 482 deaths according to the Ghana Health Service (GHS) update.
So far Ghana have recorded 73,003 confirmed cases with 65,583 recoveries and discharge.
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