By Mohamed Foday Conteh
Authorities in Sierra Leone have confirmed that there are no cases of the Delta variant of the coronavirus in Sierra Leone.
The body overseeing the pandemic NaCOVERC said that although there is a surge in positive cases which are turning out to be severely ill resulting in more hospitalisations, nevertheless, the country is yet to confirm whether the Delta Strain is present in the country. According to NaCOVERC Communication Lead, Harold Thomas, with regards the Delta strain in Sierra Leone, we are doing sequencing and the samples sent abroad since determining the variant cannot be done in the country. He said although they have sent specimens for analysis, they are yet to receive any result.
The variant was first identified in India and is believed to be more contagious and resistant to vaccines than other strains of the virus.
There has been an exponential rise in cases of coronavirus especially in the Western Area. So far, the country has recorded 4,942 cases of Covid-19 with 3,269 recoveries and 82 deaths. Cases have been low until about a couple of weeks ago when the country started recording double figures again.
The recent surge in coronavirus cases in the world is being precipitated by various strains of the virus. One such strain is the Indian or Delta strain. Health experts believe this strain is more dangerous and infectious than the original one. They also believe that this strain lives its victim extremely ill.
According to Thomas, there is a massive community transmission ongoing at present. “There are less than 170 cases confirmed so far from the over 4,000 infections, as inbound passengers,” he added. He said majority of confirmed cases are from local or community transmission. “This is transmitting in-country and besides the inbound passengers are easily tracked and quarantined,” he stated.
NaCOVERC instituted new measures in what is now confirmed to be a third wave of Covid-19 in Sierra Leone.
These new measures were instituted in a public notice on the 17th June, 2021. “This assessment has been informed by the WHO alert as well as a thorough examination of the epidemiological data particularly for the last one month,” the notice reads.
Several people are finding difficulties with regards the new measures put forward by (NaCOVERC) on the 17th June 2021 to curb the third wave of the virus in the country.
The new measures consist mostly some of the previous ones instituted except fortwo namely the reduction of the vaccination age and criterion for quarantining of vaccinated people. There is also a ban on all sporting activities.
In recent weeks there has been a shift in public education. More emphasis is now being given to vaccination than the other preventative measures. NaCOVERC has provided inoculation centres for people below 30 years to be vaccinated.
Among the new restrictions is the one barring people without proof of having taken the vaccine, from entering public buildings. The measures came into force on the 22nd June, 2021. Many people were left in a dilemma when some members of the public found difficulties in accessing public buildings on Monday, a day before the restrictions were to be enforced. The Communication Lead at NaCOVERC, Harold Thomas, said that persons below age 30 need to provide an Identity card for them to access public buildings. He added that NaCOVERC is cognizant that there are staff and people below 30 years that access public buildings.
Some members of the public are of the notion that the recent notice are compelling people to be inoculated –thus, an infringement to their rights. However, Thomas said that to be vaccinated is not compulsory and can be done on one’s volition. He added that there is nevertheless a public health ordinance apart from the state of emergency. He went on to state that some of the measures are in place not to entertain any occurrence here of some of the emergencies like lack of enough bed space experienced in other countries.
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