VOINJAMA, June 22 (LINA) – Traditional Chiefs, elders and other local authorities in Lofa County have embarked on a massive awareness and enforcement of COVID-19 preventive protocols as part of efforts to stop the virus from spreading in the county.
According to the Chairman of the Lofa County branch of the Liberia National Traditional Council of Chiefs and Elders, Mr. Wolobah Dorbor, the local authorities recently took the decision to embark on a massive awareness, monitoring and enforcement in communities, villages, towns and cities to contain the pandemic.
Mr. Dorbor indicated that the campaign is intended to ensure that residents of communities, villages, towns and cities adhere to all COVID-19 health protocols outlined by health authorities.
He pointed out that the fight against COVID-19 should not be left with government and partners alone, citing that it requires the involvement of every sector because the pandemic is deadly and should not be taken lightly or for granted.
Dorbor cited that traditional chiefs, elders and other local authorities and leaders have agreed to vigorously campaign, monitor and enforce all COVID-19 preventive measures because the increasing wave of confirmed cases in Lofa County is”very alarming” and as such everyone must join government and partners in the fight, stressing that the pandemic is” too deadly and should not be taken lightly.”
He made the disclosure Tuesday at the Lofa County Health Team (LCHT), stakeholders, CSOs and County leadership health meeting held at the headquarters of the Lofa County Health Team (LCHT) in Voinjama City.
During the regular LCHT update meeting, health authorities in Lofa County also announced the increase in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Lofa County from one to 13 with eight females to five males infected.
With no death reported, a total of 31 health workers has, however, been placed on high risk list while an additional 10 have been identified as low risk contacts.
Health officials in the county also disclosed that specimens have been collected from 50 contacts and at least 15 samples and specimens have been taken and sent to Monrovia for testing, while contact tracing continues.
At the end of the health meeting, Lofa County Health Officer (CHO) Dr. John Doedeh called on Lofaians and other residents of the county to keep observing all COVID-19 protocols so as to avoid the rapid spread of the virus.
Dr. Doedeh cautioned the media, joint security, local authorities and other stakeholders, including religious and traditional heads, CSOs, youth, women groups, LMA and other residents to continue buttressing the government and partners by creating more awareness about preventive measures in the fight against the deadly disease.
Meanwhile, Dr. Doedeh has outlined several challenges that the Lofa County Health Team is currently faced with.
He cited the lack of logistics, sufficient oxygen, fuel and gas and beds, among several others, as major challenges confronting the health system of the county.
Dr. Doedeh has, at the same time, lauded government and partners for the level of support to the Lofa County Health Team (LCHT), but called for urgent additional support, as these challenges need to be speedily addressed to respond to the increasing wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in the county.
