By Emmanuel Mafelah, mafelahemmanuel29@gmail.com
GBARNGA, Liberia- The Administration of the Phebe Referral Hospital in Suakoko District, Bong County has shut down the entire hospital for ninety hour,s due to the increase in COVID-19 cases at the facility, Bong County Health Officer, Adolphus Yeiah said on Friday.
Speaking to journalists on June 26, 2020 in Gbarnga, Dr. Yeiah said the decision was triggered by fourteen health workers of the hospital being tested positive with the Coronavirus in the only referral hospital in central Liberia, which is situated 226 miles east of Monrovia.
Dr. Yeiah told Reporters that they were advised by a team from the Incident Magement System headed by Dr. Samson Arzoaquoio.
Recently, Phebe hospital closed its Emergency Room to the public, after three nurses at the center contracted the virus.
On Wednesday, June 24, 2020, Bong County Surveillance Officer, Emmanuel Dweah confirmed that the Medical Director of the hospital, Dr. Jefferson Sibley tested positive for the virus along with seven nurses assigned at the Emergency Room.
Dweah said that they were in a Mini isolation room at the Phebe Hospital as well as other patients who are undergoing treatment.
But in a telephone conversation with Phebe hospital Communications Director on Friday, June 26, 2020, Mr. Samuel Kplaiwru said the hospital will remain closed for minty hours to allow for the hospital to be decontaminated.
Mr. Kplaiwru said the entire hospital is contaminated and for it to be sanitized, the center will need to be spray before it can cater to patients.
Mr. Kplaiwru wants citizens not to panic ad they are doing all they can to get the hospital reopen to provide medical services for the struggling Liberian population.