File photo Two subcontractors working with Tullow Ghana have been infected with COVID-19 .
The oil company, in a statement said the two were tested by the Ghana Health Service after exhibiting some symptoms of the pandemic.
“Following the positive test results, a team from GHS has commenced contact-tracing and testing of personnel on the KNK FPSO and MV Lancelot, in line with established protocols,” the statement said.
The company said the two patients are stable and have been isolated onshore for medical attention.
Meanwhile, Tullow said the cases have not had any impact on its operations at the at the Jubilee FPSO.
“Tullow wishes to assure all stakeholders that the health and safety of our staff, contractors, sub-contractors, and our host communities remain our priority.
“Tullow has followed strict quarantine procedures for all personnel working offshore including two weeks of government-approved quarantine. We will be assessing further actions that may be available to reduce the risk of infection”, the company noted.
Tullow is not the first company in the extractive industry to be hit by the pandemic.
Just on Sunday, The Gauteng Department of Health in South Africa confirmed that 53 employees at AngloGold Ashanti’s Mponeng mine in the Merafong district have tested positive for Covid-19.
According to the latest update on the company’s website, the number of positive cases has now been confirmed as 164, of which the vast majority are asymptomatic.
All positive cases will be isolated in line with national health protocols, with on-site facilities available for those who may need them. Mponeng uses electronic tracking of all people underground as a safety tool in the event missing miners have to be located. This system has been useful in quickly locating primary, or close contacts.The management of the mine has indicated that the underground production will remain closed until further notice, the department said.MEC Bandile Masuku and the Gauteng health team will meet with the mine management on Sunday afternoon to receive a report. Additionally, a meeting is arranged between the West Rand District Health team and the mine team for Monday for further engagement and collective intervention.Limited mining activities restarted in the country about a month ago.In terms of lockdown regulations, employers are required to provide a workplace risk assessment plan that should include the provision of screening and testing facilities, sanitary and social distancing measures and measures to protect vulnerable employees.Recently, Impala Platinum revealed that about 19 cases of Covid-19 had been detected […]
