PHOTO: Dr. Sylvester O. Wreh, head of County Health Officer
By King Sarwah Brown, sarwahking@gmail.com
BUCHANAN, Liberia- Amid the resurgence of the deadly coronavirus pandemic in Liberia, the Health Team of Grand Bassa County has reported five deaths from COVID-19 and about 28 confirmed cases in this southern county.
According to the County Health Official, out of the 28 confirmed cases reported, 15 were treated, recovered and subsequently have been discharged for the treatment unit in Buchanan.
Speaking at a press briefing on Wednesday, July 7, 2021, the County Health Officer, Dr. Sylvester O. Wreh said the county accumulated its first index case of the virus from a 38 year old man who came back from President George Mannah Weah county tour in Lofa and started presenting symptoms of the new variant with fever, coughing, weakness and difficulty in breathing at the Liberia Government Hospital.
Dr. Wreh said based on the high level of doubt of covid -19, the victim was isolated on June 15, 2021 at the Liberia Government Hospital Treatment Unit.
He disclosed that the victim specimen was collected on June 15, 2021 and sent to the National Reference Laboratory in Monrovia and tested COVID-19 positive on June 16, 2021 with 15 high risk and 2 low risk contacts linked to the case.
Speaking further, he mentioned that the one confirmed index case reported, generated additional about 93 contacts and out of that number 11 was confirmed covid-19 positive, 32 contacts are still under followed up for 14 days period while about 50 persons have recovered following their 14 days completion at the Treatment unit and then discharged.
Given the spike in covid-19 cases, Dr. Werh said presently, the County has about 8 active cases of the new wave of covid-19 pandemic of which three of them are to be reclassified because according to him some of those cases were generated from incoming travelers who were firstly tested positive at the Roberts International Airport in Margibi County and later came to Buchanan.
The County Health Officer placed the total ratio of those victims of the virus related cases recorded as 35% female and 65% male.
He noted that though Grand Bassa County has new confirmed cases, citizens should not be panic but urged them to prevent themselves and observer all of the health protocols prescribed by the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL).
The Incident Command System in collaboration with key partners including the County Covid-19 Taskforce with support from NPHIL and MOH has set up an Isolation ward at the Liberia Government Hospital in Buchanan, Dr. Wreh disclosed.
The head of the Grand Bassa County Health Team said that this is a precautionary observation center (POC) at NASSCORP Aba Kangar PLAZA to enhance the rapid response to the covid-19 pandemic in the County.