ufofana's picture
Quarantined residents attempt to break out in southern Sierra Leone

  • Security forces outside Hotel Sir Milton in Bo

By Newman Anthony Levey in Bo

Quarantined residents in two locations in Bo attempted to break out on Sunday amidst complained of prolonged confinement.

The residents were angry that after spending about a month in quarantine, the authorities have still not given them any update on their swab results.

The first incident occurred at the Two Stars Hotel where the residents made their second attempt to break out of quarantine in just one month.

The second incident happened 30 minutes later at Sir Milton Hotel.

Both situations were quelled down by security forces and staff of the management of the hotels through negotiations. The negation process was made complicated by the fact that security forces could not go closer due to fears of contracting the virus themselves.

The group at the Sir Milton Hotel were singing in loud chorus “wi wan go (we want to leave)”. They explained that swabs had been collected from them and no one had returned to talk to them. They said the surveillance team had “abandoned” them.

Spokesperson for the District Emergency Operations Center (DEOC), Francess Mummy Jabati, told Politico that they were stretched thin, because their surveillance officers had to go in the outskirts of Bo city.

Jabati said: "They have to wait. They took 14 days in quarantine and some people got the COVID -19. They had to start another 14 days, after which their final swab was taken yesterday (Sunday 24th) and it will take 72 hours for the results to come out.”

Ms Jabaty went on: "We will not be in a rush to allow them to go home. They are direct contacts with someone who got COVID-19.”

In light of the recent incidents, residents in the city are now urging the DEOC to relocate quarantine facilities to the outskirts of the city. Many have expressed concern that a successful break out in any of the quarantine facilities may have a devastating impact on their safety.

Bo has recorded 40 cases of COVID-19 as by Tuesday, 26th May.

Copyright © 2020 Politico Online

Category: 
Top