By Mabinty M. Kamara
The Risk Communication Pillar Lead National Coronavirus Response Centre (NaCOVERC), Harold Thomas has assured of the country’s strides to guard against the newly discovered COVID-19 variant called Omicron.
The new mutation, which according to experts is potentially more transmissible, was first discovered in South Africa and has since been detected in several countries.
Speaking to Politico, Harold Thomas confirmed that Sierra Leone is yet to record a case of the new variant but has already accelerated its preparedness in case of any outbreak.
“We have not tested anybody positive of that new variant in Sierra Leone because we have only gotten two positive cases in the last two weeks. But we are still looking out, we are very vigilant and we are doing sequencing so we know the strains of the virus circulating in Sierra Leone,” he said.
He noted that surveillance is still high, at the airport and at other boarding crossing points. At the airport, he said those coming into the country without proof of vaccination is to undergo a mandatory quarantine in a hotel at their own expense until the result of their covid-19 test is out. He said the vaccinated, will be allowed to go home and their test result will be delivered to them when it is ready.
He added that they are also working on improving the vaccination drive in the country, so that every eligible person (18 years and above) in Sierra Leone is fully vaccinated. As they work on curtailing the virus in the country, he also urged all to comply to all precautionary measures put in place. “Apart from the new variant, there are other circulating strings around that are equally very lethal. So whatever the strain, COVID is just bad and we do not want anybody to be infected”, he stated.
He added that Sierra Leone is yet to reach the targeted 10 percent threshold set for Africa, noting that they continue to make strides and it’s improving on a daily basis.
Sierra Leone until 29th November this year has recorded a total of six thousand four hundred and one confirmed covid-19 cases since its first case on March 31st of 2020.
Copyright © Politico Online 01/12/21
