Coronavirus: Lifting lockdown restrictions too soon would spark ‘deadly resurgence’ – WHO warns

President Nana Addo has lifted lockdown restrictions in Ghana and this has sparked a lot of controversies.

A lot of people are asking if it’s the right time for him to do so.

His decision even though lauded by many, has become something that a vast majority isn’t coming into terms with. Many consider is as harmful and thoughtless.

Well, even before this time, the World Health Organisation had warned that lifting lockdown restrictions too soon would spark ‘deadly resurgence’.

Countries that come out of lockdown prematurely risk a second ruinous wave just as catastrophic as the first, the body cautioned.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the head of WHO, spoke out as countries across the world – including the UK, Italy, Spain and the US – consider ways in which they could potentially ease shutdowns which are now turning the health crisis into an economic one.

“I know that some countries are already planning the transition out of stay-at-home restrictions,” he said from a virtual press conference in Geneva, Switzerland. “WHO wants to see restrictions lifted as much as anyone.

“At the same time, lifting restrictions too quickly could lead to a deadly resurgence. The way down can be as dangerous as the way up if not managed properly.”

The microbiologist added that the body was working with affected countries on potential strategies for returning to some semblance of normality once the peak of the pandemic passed.

He also listed six factors that must be considered before lockdowns are eased: transmission under control; health services able to cope; risks in care homes minimised; preventative measures introduced in workplaces and schools; virus importation risks managed; and communities made aware of how to reduce future transmissions.

As it stands, the total confirmed cases of Coronavirus in Ghana is 1,042 with 9 deaths and 99 recoveries. The cases all over the world stand at 2,404,325 with 624,798 recoveries and 165,238 deaths.

Experts are predicting that things could get worse in the coming days, weeks and months.