March 16, 2021
By: Sulaiman Stom Koroma
The Global Picture
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Coronaviruses (CoV) are large families of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a new strain that was discovered in 2019 and has not been previously identified in humans.
Coronaviruses are zoonotic, meaning they are transmitted between animals and people. Detailed investigations found that SARS-CoV was transmitted from civet cats to humans and MERS-CoV from dromedary camels to humans. Several known coronaviruses are circulating in animals that have not yet infected humans.
Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, and cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, the infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure, and even death.
It worth noting that, currently, there is no medicine to cure coronavirus disease, therefore, it is advisable to avoid this illness by observing social distancing as it is believed to be spread mainly through person to person between people who contact with one another (within about 6ft). It is also believed to be spreading through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes as this droplet is believed to land in the mouth or nose of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Dashboard, as of the 15th of March 2021 at 12 mid-day, globally there have been confirmed cases of 120,493,024 of COVID-19, including 2, 666, 682 deaths reported.
In Sierra Leone, the total number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 is 3,937, recovered is 2,779 and death is 79 cases as of the 15th March 2021, mid- day.
No region of the world is reserved; businesses, Sports, traveled and other activities have been put on hold thereby making it very difficult for ends to meet for people both in developed and in developing countries and continents.
The Sierra Leone Situation
Before Sierra Leone recorded it first case, it was the only country in the Mano River Union that was yet to record any positive corona case (Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, Guinea, and Liberia form part of the Mano River Union) Guinea had its case from a Belgian, Liberia from a government official and Ivory Coast from another traveler into the country. Therefore, Situation as it was; Sierra Leone was sandwiched between its neighbors with corona confirmed cases.
At that time, there were seventy-three (73) people in quarantine centers at the airport hotel and other areas around Lungi, and some of those that entered into the country have been quarantined in different parts of the country including the Capital City Freetown. The country is running two types of quarantine system- The one that is done by government and the one done by Embassies, UN agencies and other International Organizations for their staff and Diplomat.
Preventive Measure
It could be recalled that in 2013 the country had the Ebola outbreak that killed over six thousand Sierra Leone, halt businesses, and stranded the economy which is still struggling to date. In that regard, the government is taking no chance in preventing the coronavirus not to enter its territory. At some point in time, the Ministry of Health and Sanitation announced that the country has moved to level two (2) of its health emergency prevention approach.
The then Minister of Health and Sanitation Dr. Alpha Wurie stated that the Emergency Operations Center in the Capital Freetown is actively ready. In addition to this, the 34 Military is fully set to handle any disaster outbreak including the deadly Corona Virus all these facilities are for the C Capital City. But, the other areas including the Airport, Sierra Leone -Liberia Border at Gendema, the Country’s border with Guinea at Gbalamuya are also set with quarantine facilities and other measures to prevent the corona entrance into the country.
“Apart from the preparation, the country is not complacence as the Ebola lesson is more than enough for the it to learn from, as a result, there has seen more than enough measures from government and other state bodies”. The Minister said.
By then, the Freetown City Council was the latest institution to put out their measures by limiting business hours from 7: 00 am – 7: 00 pm with an exception to those selling cooked food that is expected to close at 10: 00 PM. This is among plenty of measures by the council.
Before this, the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary School has ordered that there should not be any school sports, thanksgiving and large classes to be divided to less than one hundred per class, no assembly is allowed, and above all schools should be closed by the end of March.
Religious gathering has also been suspended by the Ministry of Social Welfare including Friday prayers and Sunday Services.
Like in every part of the world, the Ministry of Sports earlier suspended all sports activities including the National Football League until further notice. As most of the corona cases are imported from infected countries, the Ministry of Transport and Aviation gave Saturday, March 21st as the last day for planes to land in Sierra Leone, but the 24-hour extension has been added to this ultimatum.
All these measures by Ministries, Department and Agencies are as a result of a press release from State House that discourages public gathering of up to one hundred people.
In his State Address on corona Preventive measures, the president Dr. Julius Maada Bio said that, state of emergency is imminent if the country records any positive case. This shows the determination and commitment of the President in his government quest to prevent corona from entering and control if entered. As the president added that the military is taking over our airport and, land Border other entering points.
These measures are not new to Sierra Leoneans as they were invoked during the Ebola outbreak in 2013. Of courses, these measures are unbearable for ordinary Sierra Leone as the majority of the people barely running the rat race (living from hand to mouth), but it is believed that Extra Ordinary Time Needs Extra Measures. Amidst all these measures, much is needed to be done as it was confirmed that the Sierra Leone Liberia Border crossing point at Gendema is only having five (5) quarantine beds, at this juncture, is good to note that Liberia has recorded two positive cases. Besides, in 2013, Sierra Leone’s Ebola cases came through it neighbor.
As the quarantine process continues, there were concerns coming from the quarantine centers especially at the Airport hotel that the facilities are sickening hence forcing people on quarantine to do all they could to get out of quarantine centers.
On Tuesday, March 24th, 2020 the president declared a state of emergency throughout the republic of Sierra Leone. By the novel coronavirus disease (CoVID-19) has spread to almost all countries and claimed nearly 20,000 lives worldwide. Almost 2500 cases have been reported in 43 African countries with 14 deaths. Africa Centers for Disease Control (Africa CDC) is supporting African Union Member States in responding to the outbreak.
By the 26th of March 2020, Dr. John Nkengasong, Director, Africa CDC said that, the total number of cases of COVID-19 has risen above 300,000 globally. With several confirmed cases in 43 African countries.
On the 31st of March,2020 the president of Sierra Leone announced that, the Country has recorded its first Covid-19 case in the person of a 37 years old man who traveled on Brussels from France and was under quarantine. Calling it the index case 1. On the 1st of April, the second case was confirmed.
On the 8th of April,2020 the government issued a press release instituting the following measure for a period of 14 days, a partial lockdown restricting the movement of persons at an inter-district level, a night coffee from 9 pm to 6 am, a readjustment of the official working hour for all public and private-sector workers from 9 am to 4 pm.
On the 11th of April,2020 the country recorded its 10th positive cases in, globally, there were a total of 1,257,674 active cases, 107,645 total deaths and 395,652 recovered persons.
On the 19th of April,2020 the spikes went high, with the country recording 11 new cases in a day bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 26. At this point, the global figures have also risen with 2.2 million people affected by the virus, and Africa also not getting better.
On the 19th April,2020 Sierra Leone released its first cases of discharge Covid-19 patients of 6 people, also recording 5 positive cases that day given a total of 35 total confirms cases. Even with the fight going on, doctors and other health workers demanded an increase in their allowances.
On the 20th of April,2020 the president announced that one of his security guards has tested positive for Covid-19, he also announced a self-isolation for 14 days. A day later, the number of positive cases throughout the country rose to 50 with 1,226, discharged from quarantine. Globally, over 2.5 million have been affected, and over 170,000 deaths. The issue of allowances raised by medical workers was also addressed.
Meanwhile, the government of Sierra Leone through the Ministry of Finance says more than Le20 billion has been disbursed to the Ministry of Health and the Emergency Operations Center from the government budget for the fight against COVID-19. On the 22nd of April about late in the evening, the country registered its first death case, a 57 years old man who admitted at the Connaught hospital but died before his positive result of covid-19 came in.
At the Mani River Union(MRU) level, the countries had a total of 1,875 cases of Covid-19: Ivory Coast (952) Guinea (761) Liberia (101) and Sierra Leone (61). There were 29 deaths: Ivory Coast (14), Guinea (6), Liberia (8), and Sierra Leone (1). 500 people had recovered: Ivory Cost (310) Guinea (164), Liberia (20), and Sierra Leone (6). Tuesday, April 28th the country recorded over a hundred cases. Two days later the president declared another three days lockdown from May 2nd to May 4th after the country has recorded 7 deaths.
On the 17th of May,2020, 2020 the country recorded 43 new cases the highest since the epidemic started in the country with a total of 32 deaths. Since then, the number of positive cases is just increasing, by the 15th of May, the total global confirmed cases were 4,555,803, 304,201 deaths, and 1,722,232 recoveries. At the many river union levels, Sierra Leone has 447 confirmed cases, 97 recovers, and 27 deaths. Guinea has 2473 confirmed cases, 895 recoveries, and 14 deaths. Liberia has 215 confirmed cases 105 recoveries and 20 deaths while Ivory Coast has 1971 confirmed cases 930 recoveries and 24 deaths.
May 24th,2020 was a day to remember, with the country recording its highest positive cases of 100, totaling cumulative confirmed positive cases to 731. 440 were still active in I solution centers, with 241 recoveries. The number of people in quarantine is 1,939 with 3,458 discharged and 40 deaths. Globally, there are over 5,300,000 confirmed cases, over 2,800,000 active cases, 2,100,000 recoveries and over 340,000 deaths. The Mano River Union at this time has recorded over 6,300 cases.
On the 25th of May 2020, the BBC’s Umaru Fofana reported that Fifty-two Covid19 patients have been discharged in Sierra Leone, its highest single-day jump. It brings to 293 those who’ve recovered. Meanwhile, the country has carried out a total of 5,337 Covid19 tests since the pandemic. The latest is 107 which returned 14 new cases. A day after Kambia fell, only Karena District remains without a confirmed case of the coronavirus, Kailahun recorded three, Kenema two, Bonthe one and Freetown, and its environs recorded eight. There are two new deaths totaling 42.
According to Solomon Jamiru the Spokesperson for the National COVID-19 Emergency Response Center, COVID-19 Mortality Review as of May 22 is 97.4% of the deaths are Sierra Leoneans, 7.7% are healthcare workers, and 76.9% male. Mortality is prevalent among 55-59 years (18%), and 76-79 years (21%). 43.6% of deaths occurred either at COVID-19 Community Treatment Centers (CTC) or Community Care Centers (CCC); 51.3% at Isolation Units, and 2.6% at community and home self-isolation. 68.8% of deaths were referred from Connaught Hospital. 84.6% of the deaths had comorbidities.
76% of male deaths (compared to 24% of women) had smoked; and 72% of men had alcohol. 51% presented breathing difficulties at admission, 38% fever, and 29% cough.
Meanwhile, the compulsory use of a facemask in Public Areas and its enforcement started on the 1st of June 2020.
On the 1st of June,2020 the EU disbursed €10 million to the GoSL as fixed tranche of budget support for 2020. The early disbursement is to support GoSL’s much needed COVID response, provide flexibility for Government initiatives to maintain macro-economic stability and support livelihoods, as well as help mitigate funding gaps created by the need to divert significant public development resources towards the Coronavirus response. On the 29th of May 2020, the government of Sierra Leone paid over six billion Leones to health workers as PAYE tax rebates tax for the months of April and May 2020. By June 9th, 2020 the country recorded 50 deaths.
To help raise the economy and movements of people all over the country, the president on the 32nd of June announced the readjustment of the curfew from 11 pm to 6 am, lifted the Inter-District movement ban, and some other restrictions. On the 13th of July,2020 the president announced the reopening of mosques and churches and further lift the curfew to 11 pm to 5 am and the Lungi International Airport Port was opened on the 22nd of July 2020.
During the beginning of 2021, NaCOVERC recorded a myriad of new cases among them is the reported 46 new coronavirus cases which was the second-highest infection rate in just a day since the outbreak started in March 2020. Even though increased movement and interactions as well as a slack observance of public health measures such as physical distancing and wearing of face masks are some of the factors behind the upsurge in cases, recently, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) rates Sierra Leone as Tier 1 low risk. The country has under 3% case fatality ratio and only 77 recorded deaths.
But just after the December holidays, the case of Covid-19 increased ‘Nastily’ forcing the government to announced a partial lockdown in the Western Area effective Monday 25th January 2021 for two weeks, during this Period, community testing will be conducted, night time Curfew will be introduced nationwide from 10 pm to 5 am, an electronic pass system (E-Pass) will be used to regulate all essential movements among others. Meanwhile, NaCOVERC has generated le22.3 billion funds on inbound and outbound passengers and about 1 billion Leones for fines.
By the end of January, the corona infections rate rose by 295 from 125(week 43) to 420(week 44) and January 2021 is the most infectious month with more than a thousand cases which over 790 more than 2020 December (198) as western area urban clocks over 2,004 cases (55.8%).
During the cause of this pandemic, leading scientist and pharmaceutical companies all over the world has been working tirelessly in developing a vaccine to stop the massive spread of the pandemic. Finally, Pfizer BioNTech announces it has developed a vaccine which has up to 90% effectiveness.
on the 11th of December 2020 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized the first COVID-19 vaccine for use in the country. The emergency use authorization means that doses of the vaccine—made by Pfizer/BioNTech—can be shipped at any time, meanwhile, the U.S. was also considering a second vaccine, made by Moderna Inc., that could roll out in another week. In early January, Johnson & Johnson expects to learn if its vaccine is working in final testing. Europe is set to make its own decision on the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna shots later that month, an important step as some other candidates that multiple countries were anxiously awaiting have hit roadblocks. Sanofi and GSK announced a months-long delay after early tests showed their vaccine didn’t work well enough in older adults. China and Russia didn’t wait for final-stage tests before beginning vaccinations with some homegrown shots.
Many countries across the world started buying hug doses for immediate vaccination. To aid some counties especially the poor in Africa, the African Union announced that it has purchased a total of 270 million doses of coronavirus vaccines from Pfizer, AstraZeneca through the Serum Institute of India, and Johnson & Johnson. 50 million of the doses will be available in the months of April to June and the rest of will be delivered before the end of 2021, said the African Union chairman, Cyril Ramaphosa.
“From the onset of this pandemic, our focus as a continent has been on collaboration and collective effort. We have held steadfastly to the principle that no country should be left behind,” Ramaphosa said.
While some countries will afford to buy, like Nigeria and others, some are graciously waiting from manners falling from heaven. China has been offering free doses of vaccine to many countries across the world, and Sierra Leone is no exception.
On the 1st of march 2021, the Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone, H.E. Hu Zhanjiang, presented 200,000 doses of the Sinopharm’s COVID-19 Vaccine to President Dr. Julius Maada Bio on behalf of the President and People’s Republic of China. The donated items, which arrived in the country on Thursday 25 February 2021, also included 201,600 pieces of disposable needles and syringes.
On the 15th of March 2021, the President Julius Maada Bio, was the first person to receive the vaccine, followed by the Vice President, Speaker of Parliament, Opposition Leaders, some top government officials, health works and Covid-19 front line responders.
As of the 15th of March 2012 the total number of people who has been vaccinated stands at 219,342,455, for Sierra Leone, according to the spokesperson for NaCOVERC the first day of vaccination will target up to a hundred people. Israel stands as the country with the highest number of people been vaccinated 9,374,827.
Sierra Leone is a resilient nation, a country that has stood high during the, War, Ebola outbreak, Mudslide and other grate challenges. The country has always showed that whenever they come together, they can defeat a common enemy. With the state of emergency still in force, some Covid-19 restriction still in place and now the Vaccine to help stop the spread, the country will soon defeat this long standing enemy which has not only ravage Sierra Leone but the world at large.
Today the country maybe down, but there comes tomorrow. Chances of rising again seem hollow, doubt may be in our minds, but let give it time…all will be fine.