Warapoka wants lockdown after pregnant women, teachers test positive for COVID-19

The indigenous community of Warapoka in Region One has requested to go on a two-week lockdown after several residents, including pregnant mothers, a health worker, teachers and students tested positive for COVID-19.

Lockdowns are usually instituted by the Ministry of Health after positive cases continue to climb in a small community, but the village council, in a letter to the Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony and officials of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), has requested a voluntary lockdown after recording 18 COVID-19 cases.

“The village council now treats this as urgent. Parents, teachers, students, pregnant mothers and even health worker were all tested positive,” the letter stated.

The patients are currently isolated in the central community of Santa Rosa.

The Toshao, Allan Henry, in his letter, also re“help and guidance” to proceed on a lockdown.

Henry is also asking for food hampers, sanitisers, spray cans for sanitising homes and other items which will be needed after the movement of persons is restricted.

The village has a total of 575 residents and is located a short distance from Kwebanna, which was recently recorded as a COVID-19 hotspot in the region.

Testing started in Warapoka on October 29. The Ministry of Health on Tuesday reported 16 new COVID-19 cases taking the total to 4,890.