Gbarnga, Bong County – Bong County Health Team Thursday morning announced that a 52-year-old resident of Sugar Hill community in Gbarnga has died from complications connected to COVID-19. The death marks the first COVID-19 death in Bong County, where there has been no cases of the virus since its outbreak in the country four months ago.
Report by Selma Lomax, [email protected]
The death occurred June 2, 2020 at the deceased’s residence. It occurred four days after the deceased had come from Monrovia, where he spent five days, according to Dr. Adolphus Yeiah, head of Bong County Health Team.
Dr. Yeiah said the death underscores the importance of protecting our most vulnerable in the county during the outbreak.
“Our condolences go out to the family and friends of the patient,” Dr. Yeiah said. “This death of the 52-year-old reminds us how important it is to continue working to protect each other during this outbreak.”
Dr. Yeiah emphasized the importance of all residents of the county to do their part to slow the spread of the virus and protect those in the communities who might be at higher risk of severe illness or death. The most vulnerable include those over 65 and those with underlying health conditions, he said.
Contact tracing underway
A total of eight contacts have been traced to the index case of COVID-19 in the county, said the county health team head. He said the contact began from Monrovia, where he is believed to have contracted the virus. “We have eight persons identified contacts that are being followed up. Seven of those reside in Gbarnga and one person lives in Monrovia,” he said.
The identified contacts, Dr. Yeiah said, had been told to stay at home, monitored by health officials.