TAPPITA, Nimba – Barely two weeks after the Jackson Fiah Doe Memorial Regional Referral Hospital recorded its first case of the Coronavirus and the country’s fourth COVID-19 death, the hospital has announced its second confirmed case of the virus.

The chief executive officer of the hospital told the Voice of Tappita via mobile phone late Saturday evening that Jeremiah Gayflor, a staff member at the radio station, had tested positive for the virus days after his specimen was sent to the National Reference Lab for testing.

Dr. Saygbay Vanyabah explained that on April 13, Gayflor had gone to the hospital for treatment after experiencing running stomach throughout the day and was placed on treatment for three days at the hospital.

Vanyabah said a test conducted on specimens collected from the patient at the hospital’s laboratory proved malaria positive, in addition to other underlining health conditions, which were not disclosed to the media.

“We conducted his malaria test and we realized that he had 1+ malaria and other health complications,” Vanyabah said. “But because we don’t have the capacity to test for COVID-19, we told him that we sent his specimen to Monrovia and we told him to go home and isolate himself since we were still awaiting the result.”

Vanyabah said three days later, the test result was sent to Tappita, indicating that Gayflor was COVID-19 positive. The patient was immediately recalled from the community and placed in the hospital’s temporary isolation center, he added.

However, the hospital’s decision to release Gayflor when his result was still pending is facing criticisms, with many in the public accusing the hospital of endangering their lives.

Many prominent religious leaders and civil society actors have called the hospital’s action unprofessional and unethical. They contend that once Gayflor was showing signs and symptoms of the virus, he should have been kept at the facility until the test result was sent back to the hospital.

However, the hospital’s CEO said he discharged the patient because Gayflor complained that where he was being held was not conducive and that the place lacked proper ventilation.

“We had no reason keeping the man because we never knew what the outcome of the test result could have been,” the doctor added. “Jeremiah was already sick when he came to us, so if he already infected others before coming to us. No one should be blamed for anything.”

Meanwhile, Gayflor says he has not traveled to Monrovia recently, the epicenter of the outbreak in Liberia. Additionally, he said he had no link or contact with the first case reported by the hospital in early April.

Gayflor has now been transported to the 14^th Military Hospital, where he will remain until his recovery.

On Monday morning, he told The Bush Chicken via phone that he was still not convinced that he had the virus. He has since requested a re-test, which health authorities say they will conduct within ten days.

“I am strong and still do not believe that I have the virus,” he noted. “They also told me that they will not give me any medicine until I complain about malaria or fever. I’m greatly worried about my family back home. If they get sick, who will really take care of them? I am seriously embarrassed.”

Meanwhile, the staff of the Voice of Tappita radio station, where Gayflor worked, have been placed under observation, as contact tracers try to identify others that may have had contact with Tappita’s second confirmed Coronavirus case.

Meanwhile, Rep. Dorwohn Gleekia and Mayor Sarah Mendoabor have called for calm, urging their citizens to stop the blame game and focus on preventing the district from experiencing a major outbreak.

Liberia now has recorded 99 confirmed cases, with 8 deaths, according to the National Public Health Institute.

Featured photo by Jerry Myers