Utility of early diagnosis, contact tracing and stakeholder engagement in outbreak response in three COVID-19 outbreak settings in Ghana
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Date
2021
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Ghana Med J
Abstract
Objective: To describe how early case detection, testing and contact tracing measures were deployed by stakeholders
in response to the COVID-19 outbreak in Ghana – using three outbreak scenarios.
Design: A descriptive assessment of three case studies of COVID-19 outbreaks within three settings that occurred in
Ghana from March 13 till the end of June 2020.
Setting: A construction camp, a factory and a training institution in Ghana.
Participants: Staff of a construction camp, a factory, workers and students of a training institution.
Interventions: We described and compared the three COVID-19 outbreak scenarios in Ghana, highlighting identifi cation and diagnosis of cases, testing, contact tracing and stakeholder engagement for each scenario. We also outlined
the challenges and lessons learnt in the management of these scenarios.
Main outcome measures: Approach used for diagnosis, testing, contact tracing and stakeholder engagement.
Results: Index cases of the training institution and construction camp were screened the same day of reporting symp toms, whiles the factory index case required a second visit before the screening. All index cases were tested with RT PCR. The training institution followed and tested all contacts, and an enhanced contact tracing approach was con ducted for staff of the other two sites. Multi-sectorial engagement and collaboration with stakeholders enabled effec tive handling of the outbreak response in all sites.
Conclusion: Comparing all three settings, early diagnosis and prompt actions taken through multi-sectorial collabo rations played a major role in controlling the outbreak. Engaging stakeholders in the COVID-19 response is an effective way to mitigate the challenges in responding to the pandemic
Description
Research Article
Keywords
contact tracing, stakeholders, laboratory, early diagnosis, COVID-19