PHOTO: Map showing distribution of # COVID-19 Cases: Clara Town, Caldwell, Bardnerville and Gardnersville. June 14, 2020
By Frank Sainworla, Jr, fsainworla@yahoo.com
As the Liberian government lifts COVID-19 restrictions and ease other measures, there has been a spike in the number of confirmed Coronavirus cases in this West African country,
Montserrado County, where the capital, Monrovia is situated, accounts for the highest number of confirmed cases and deaths.Statistics published by the National Public Health Institute (NPHIL) is clear that the infection rate is way on the increase, with the most recent total number of confirmed cases hitting 508 by Monday, June 15, 2020.
The figure has reached this high, as in less than one week, 112 new infections had been recorded since the last Update was released on June 9, 2020, which showed a total of 397 new confirmed COVID-19 cases.
On the average, this amounts to an average of 18 infections per day, a far cry from what the situation was before the coming into being of the COVID-19 lockdown and State of Emergency declared by the President on April 10, 2020.
So far, the total number of deaths reported is 33, with the number of recoveries going up to 222 as at June 15, 2020.
Ten days earlier, President George Weah had further relaxed COVID-19 restrictions. An Executive Mansion press release on June 5, 2020 said:
“The President of the Republic, Dr. George Manneh Weah has said that the state of emergency which is due to expire on June 9, 2020 will not be renewed. President Weah said given the country’s level of experience with the Coronavirus and its mode of transmission, the strides being made in its containment and in view of developments in other countries, the need for further extension of the constitutional measure is not required. He said the situation will be assessed going forward. The Liberian Leader has called on health authorities in the country and other related government agencies to continue to enforce the stipulations of the public health laws in order to ensure that there is strict adherence to the protocols against COVID-19,” said the press release from the Presidency.
The spike in the number of cases comes as Liberians have generally let their guard down in abiding by the Coronavirus protocol, from the top of the leadership to the man on the street. Two key protocols Social Distancing and wearing of nose/facemasks are gradually becoming a thing of the past in many public places as well as hands washing at entrances to various communities.
In the last 24 hours, it has been disclosed that the virus has hit the Liberian Senate and the National headquarters of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).
WAEC Monrovia boss Dale Gboto has been tested positive for COVID-19, while the Deputy Secretary of the Liberian Senate, Genevieve Massaquoi has come down with the virus.
Mr. Gboto on Tuesday confirmed to the media that he and his family are currently at d 14 Military Hospital outside Monrovia undergoing treatment.
This disclosure comes a short time after the Liberian government announced that schools will be reopening on June 22, 2020, beginning with 12th graders throughout the country.
“On June 10, I did my voluntary COVID-19 test on the 9th and got my results on the 10th,” the WAEC boss told www.newspublictrust.com.
At the Senate, normal operations have been suspended for two weeks due to the confirmed case of the deputy Senate Secretary.
The head of Public Affairs at the Senate, Mr. Jarlawa Tonpo told local radio stations on Wednesday that Mrs. Massauoi is currently being treated at the 14 Military Hospital and that other staff are going throuth two weeks of self-quarantine in line with the COVID-19 Health protocol.
“#LiBCOVID19 Case Update: 11 new confirmed cases, No new death, and 1 new recovery reported as of 10:00 PM, June 15, 2020. #protect_yourself #Stop_the_spread #Save_lives”
