Liberia: Phebe Hosptial Temporarily Shuts Down As Three Nurses Test Positive for COVID-19

GBARNGA – Phebe Hospital in Suakoko, Bong County has temporarily closed after three nurses tested positive for COVID-19.

This is a drastic protective measure and is likely to continue, Dr. Jefferson Sibley, Medical Director of the hospital told FrontPageAfrica.

“The decision as to whether or not to close the hospital would be very dependent on the prevailing circumstances and would only be taken as a last resort based on concerns about staff and patients’ safety and after consultations with relevant authorities.”

Dr. Jefferson Sibley, Medical Director, Phebe Hospital

Dr. Sibley, medical director of Phebe Hospital, said the latest cases had no associations to the over 46 contacts linked to the first three cases

Dr. Sibley said staff members who are deemed a risk have been told to isolate themselves as a precaution.

“The decision as to whether or not to close the hospital would be very dependent on the prevailing circumstances and would only be taken as a last resort based on concerns about staff and patients’ safety and after consultations with relevant authorities,” Dr. Sibley said.

Phebe Hospital is the only referral hospital in central Liberia.

The temporary closure of the hospital is expected to affect many residents, particularly those in rural parts of Bong County.

On Friday, several patients were turned away by the hospital as a means of precaution.

Bong County has recorded five confirmed cases of COVID-19, with three confirmed deaths.