Ghana is currently experiencing a concerning resurgence of the COVID-19 virus, with confirmed cases extending far beyond what is being officially reported, according to Dr. Joseph Humphrey Kofi Bonney, a Senior Research Fellow and Head of Virology at the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research. Dr. Bonney, who also oversees the National Influenza Centre at Noguchi, a World Health Organisation (WHO) designated centre for respiratory viruses, issued a stark warning on JoyNews just days after the University of Ghana raised alarms about a cluster of cases within its vicinity.

Active surveillance conducted by the Noguchi Memorial Institute indicates a broader spread of the virus across the country. Dr. Bonney explained that COVID-19 is becoming endemic, similar to how other respiratory illnesses behave. He detailed a discernible pattern in the data, noting a slight spike in February and then a more significant increase in May, with cases reported from various regions including the Eastern Region, Greater Accra (outside the university district), Volta Region, and Ashanti Region. This indicates that the current resurgence is not localized, a point further emphasized by the "overwhelming number of cases" from the University of Ghana community that prompted their public circular.

The current rainy season in Ghana is contributing to the rise in respiratory infections, making the widespread resurgence largely expected. Regarding the circulating strain, Dr. Bonney confirmed it is an Omicron subvariant. While it is considered milder and not as severe as previous strains, its high transmissibility means it can spread very rapidly. Despite its general mildness for immune-competent individuals and younger ones, Dr. Bonney issued a critical warning about the risk to vulnerable groups within the community, highlighting where the greater concern lies.

On the efficacy of existing vaccines, Dr. Bonney reiterated that they were primarily designed to prevent severe disease, not to eliminate the virus entirely. He stressed that immunity can wane, especially with the emergence of slightly different strains driving resurgences, thus necessitating booster doses or updated vaccinations to maintain protection.

Confirming the situation on campus, Professor Rosina Chanting, Dean of Student Affairs at the University of Ghana, stated that the numbers of cases were