By Amin Kef Sesay
It was reliably learnt that President Julius Maada Bio, his family and close aides have all tested negative for the coronavirus, according to presidential spokesman, Keketoma Sandy. Keketoma assured that the President would resume work from his office on Wednesday, the 6th May 2020 at the end of the three-day lockdown.
The President had been working from home throughout the period after one of his guards tested positive for the Covid19.has intimated that after his fifteen-day self-isolation period, all tests for coronavirus proved negative. “I am very healthy and determined as ever to fight this Corona pandemic in Sierra Leone,” he said in a tweet.
President Bio entered self-isolation after a bodyguard of his tested positive for the virus.
According to what was also learnt the President has directed the military to immediately deploy to the international airport and land crossing points in order to enhance security and support compliance with all public health directives advisories.
The country yesterday ended a three day nationwide lockdown which was imposed by the First Gentleman to contain community transmission of the virus. The case statistics as of May 5 were as follows: 199 confirmed cases, 11 deaths and 43 recoveries.
Prior to the lockdown the President said “epidemiological data and other evidence” indicated that “there is community transmission of the virus.”
In an earlier nationwide address he said the Government decided “to intensify contact tracing and detection; scale up testing and isolation and expand treatment.”
President Maada Bio becomes the second known African leader to self-isolate, the first being Botswana President Eric Masisi who self-isolated after attending an inauguration ceremony in Namibia. At the time his country was uninfected while Namibia had recorded three cases.
It could be recalled that, in March, twenty-four hours after confirming an index case, Sierra Leone announced a second case which involved a medical doctor with no links to the first patient. Both cases were registered in the capital, Freetown.
On Wednesday April 1, authorities announced the first three-day nationwide lockdown as a containment measure against the spread of the virus. Defence Minister and National COVID19 Coordinator, Brig (Rtd) Kellie Conteh announced that coming Sunday, Monday & Tuesday (April 4 – 6) are stay-at-home days.
When the country was Virus-free Government announced closure of its borders for a 30-day period barely days after President Julius Maada Bio announced a state of public health emergency.
According to reports, the measure was to keep out the coronavirus which has engulfed all of West Africa except for Sierra Leone. The country tested two cases which turned out to be negative. The border closures came in the wake of same action taken by neighbouring Guinea and Liberia. Guinea President Alpha Conde declared a state of emergency on for 30-days over the virus.
The closure was for a renewable period of 30 days excepting cargo vehicles which will be limited to two apprentices & a driver. They’ll be subjected to a 14-day surveillance by both countries on entry and exit.
All learning institutions & entertainment centers have been closed, as have churches & mosques. All cultural events have been prohibited.
Liberia is currently in a lockdown over the pandemic. The three countries were at the heart of the Ebola epidemic that killed thousands years ago.
