MONROVIA, Montserrado – Four of the five initial primary contacts of Liberia’s first case of COVID-19 or the coronavirus, Nathaniel Blama, have tested negative of the virus, authorities say.
Blama, the executive director of the Environmental Protection Agency, tested positive for the virus on Monday after he arrived from attending a government function in Switzerland on Friday evening. He has since been indefinitely suspended by President George Weah for refusing to be quarantined by health officials as is required by all travelers from countries with over 200 cases.
According to a government statement issued on Tuesday evening, the four primary contacts include Blama’s driver and another person who accompanied the suspended EPA executive director to Switzerland.
However, one of the five contacts, Blama’s cook, tested positive. His case became the second positive case for Liberia.
The National Public Health Institute of Liberia has decided to keep all five primary contacts under special quarantine observation and will re-administer another round of tests in seven days.
“NPHIL has expressed optimism that Blama and Phillips, who continue to be in stable condition, will make full recovery,†the press release said.
It said health authorities are also continuing to trace all primary and secondary contacts of the index cases in order to have them tested.
Meanwhile, President Weah has mandated the Public Health Institute to create additional testing centers to be able to cope with the need for more testing. The president has also instructed Finance Minister Samuel Tweah and Foreign Affairs Minister Gbehzongar Findley to work closely with the Ministry of Health to bring in the country additional testing and treatment equipment.
“The government assures the public that the health team is working tirelessly to halt the spread of the disease in the country,†the release said.
“The government again urges all to abide by the protocols and preventive measures aimed at keeping the public safe.â€
Featured photo by Zeze Ballah
