MONROVIA: The Government of Liberia has announced that a second Liberian has been tested positive of the Corona virus disease.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Information, the new carrier of the virus is Johnny Phillips-a domestic worker in the home of suspended EPA Executive Director, Nathaniel Blama, who was earlier tested positive of the disease.
Health workers have confirmed that Phillips was a primary contact of Mr. Blama when he returned to his residence.
The release maintains that health workers are continuing to trace and test several persons who might have come in contact with Mr. Blama.
The Liberian government is urging all citizens including foreign residents to observe health protocols that have been recommended by the Ministry of Health and the National Public Health Institute.
The Incident Management Team is expected institute additional measures following the second tested and confirmed case of the corona virus intended to curtail the transmission of the disease.
Additionally, the government informs the general public that after health authorities conducted tests on five of the primary contacts of the first case of the Coronavirus disease in the country, four have tested negative.
The contacts included the driver of the suspended boss of the Environmental Protection Agency, Nathaniel Blama, and another person who is said to have accompanied Blama to Switzerland while the only other contact whose result has come back positive is Johnny Phillips.
In spite of the negative tests, the National Public Health Institute has decided to keep all five primary contacts under special quarantine observation and will re-administer another round of tests in 7 days.
NPHIL has expressed optimism that Blama and Phillips, who continue to be in stable condition, will make full recovery.
Meanwhile, President George M. Weah has mandated NPHIL to create additional testing centers to be able to cope with the need for more testing.
The President has also instructed Finance Minister Samuel Tweah and Foreign Affairs Minister Gbehzongar Findley to work closely with the Ministry of Health in order to bring in the country additional testing and treatment equipment.
