MONROVIA – President George Weah has announced that the first person to be diagnosed of the Coronavirus in Liberia, the Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Nathaniel Blama breached protocols set up by health and airport authorities upon Blama’s return from Europe.
The Communications Specialist at the EPA said the President may have been probably misinformed as the EPA boss requested for additional testing after going through screening at the Robert International Airport (RIA) following his return from Switzerland.
“The President was probably misinformed and it is our hope that the correct information will be put out there. Dr. Nathaniel T. Blama, Sr. went through the regular screening at the RIA along with other Government officials to be identified,” the staff, said Ms. Danise Love Dennis, the Communication Specialist at the EPA.
“He voluntarily requested additional testing knowing he was from Switzerland. The test came out positive and he went into self-quarantine and later drove himself to a government quarantine center.” The information given to the President is incorrect. Dr. Blamah is law abiding and if he had voluntarily not asked for additional testing, no one would have known he’s positive. He also informed his entire staff about the result. It is important to note that he drove himself to the treatment center.”
– EPA Source
“Mr. Blama chose not to be quarantined in keeping with the health protocols there were in place at the airport. An intensive tracing exercise is underway to identify and test all persons with whom he came into contact.”
– Pres. George Manneh Weah
“However, he voluntarily requested additional testing knowing he was from Switzerland. The test came out positive and he went into self-quarantine and later drove himself to a government quarantine center.” The information given to the President is incorrect. Dr. Blamah is law-abiding and if he had voluntarily not asked for additional testing, no one would have known he’s positive. He also informed his entire staff about the result. It is important to note that he drove himself to the treatment center.”
The account is in contrast to President Weah’s pronouncement in his hasty address to the nation after it was confirmed that Liberia has registered its first COVID-19 case.
The President said: “Mr. Blama chose not to be quarantined in keeping with the health protocols there were in place at the airport. An intensive tracing exercise is underway to identify and test all persons with whom he came into contact.”
The President furthered that “all other persons who traveled and by-passed the mandatory screening protocols are being made to report to the health authorities immediately and without any further delay. Any other person who attempts to by-pass screening at any post of entry will be arrested and taken into compulsory quarantine.”
He assured the nation that the situation is under professional management by the health authority, who have adequately prepared themselves well in advance for this eventuality, adding there is no need to panic.
“I have asked that all of you should remain calm and report any suspicious medical behavior to the authority for our own safety. It is very important that we follow the guidelines set up by the health authorities and adapt our behavior accordingly.”