Dr. Francis Kateh, Chief Medical Officer of Liberia says President George Weah is considered a low risk case despite his close proximity with Information Minister Lenn Eugene Nagbe few days prior to him being declared COVID-19 Positive. He said, testing for the President is a matter of choice

MONROVIA Liberias Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Francis Kateh, has confirmed an ongoing investigation involving lab technicians assigned at the laboratory of the National Public Health Institute (NPHIL) by the National Security Agency (NSA).

FrontPageAfrica recently gathered that several lab technicians and researchers are being probed by the NSA for allegedly releasing to the public results of coronavirus cases and information involving top government officials.

The lab technicians and researchers, who normally sleep on duty, are encountering difficulties in reaching their family members, loved ones, and others health authorities supervising them as a result of the seizure of their phones.

The situation has claimed the attention of the Liberia Association of Medical Laboratory Technology and the body has officially written Health Minister, Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah, to intervene into the matter.

Speaking to FrontPageAfrica via telephone on Sunday, Dr. Kateh termed as unhealthy the alleged disclosure of Covid-19 positive results of key government officials to the public.

Some investigations are going on. To what degree the investigations have gone, I dont know. Maybe after the investigations, it may come over to us. We all have to be very mindful of the kind of information that we put out, especially when it has the tendency to affect the public good.

He maintained that the release of unofficial information to the public during the fight against a pandemic has the propensity of stirring confusion in the country.

When quizzed whether or not the investigations are linked to the unofficial release of Covid-19 positive results of key government officials to the public by lab technicians, Dr. Kateh stated: I have no knowledge of that, but there are some analyses going on and I am sure at the appropriate time, the appropriate authority will inform the public.

From all of our analyses, His Excellency (Weah) is at low risk and so, we cannot ask him to give any sample. If he thinks that he needs to get his specimens done like any other citizen; you can also come and say look, I need my sample collected because I am not feeling too well; definitely we are under obligation to do that. If His Excellency asks us to do that, we will do that. But at this point medically, we see no reason why we should ask him to give his sample. The President is well and he is in full command of fighting Covid-19 in this country

He, however, said that the reported seizure of lab technicians phones is in no way negatively impacting the testing process and the overall combat against the coronavirus pandemic in Liberia.

Dr. Kateh pointed out that more samples are being tested as a result of the collective efforts of health authorities and lab technicians.

He further called for the laws of Liberia to take its course if lab technicians are found guilty of leaking sensitive health information to the public.

On Weahs test

For some time now, there have been public outcry on the need for President George Manneh Weah to submit to a Covid-19 test due to the close proximity he was with Information Minister Lenn Eugene Nagbe days before he was pronounced positive for COVID-19.

Dr. Kateh disclosed that President Weah has been identified as a low risk and as such, there is no need for him to submit his specimens for testing.

We determine who goes for test based on certain things. For example, if I am confirmed positive and you and I are very close friends and we have interacted. Based on our interaction, we can determine whether you are at higher risk. If you are at a higher risk, definitely you have no choice.

If you and I are friends and basically had interacted but based on the interaction and distance; remember you have to be six feet apart and based on that, the probability diminishes. We cannot classify you as a high risk. But we put you into a low risk category. For the low risk, we also give you advice and say look, if you have any kind of symptoms do not hesitate to let us know; we will come over and get a sample.

He maintained that the conduct of testing on President Weahs specimens can only be done at the will and pleasure of the Liberian Chief Executive.

From all of our analyses, His Excellency (Weah) is at low risk and so, we cannot ask him to give any sample. If he thinks that he needs to get his specimens done like any other citizen; you can also come and say look, I need my sample collected because I am not feeling too well; definitely we are under obligation to do that. If His Excellency asks us to do that, we will do that. But at this point medically, we see no reason why we should ask him to give his sample. The President is well and he is in full command of fighting Covid-19 in this country.

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Liberia: Chief Medical Officer Confirms the Investigation of Lab Technicians over 'Leaked' COVID-19 Results - Front Page Africa