COVID-19 pandemic in Sierra Leone

The president of Sierra Leone, Julius Maada Bio, confirmed the country's first case of coronavirus disease 2019 on 31 March, a 37-year-old man who traveled from France on 16 March and had been in isolation since.[8]

On 1 April, Sierra Leone confirmed its second case which had no history of travel or contact with the country's first case.[9] The government announced a 3-day lockdown starting on 5 April.[10]

On 4 April, two more cases were confirmed and a further two on 5 April bringing the total to 6.[11]

On 9 April, after the end of the three-day lockdown, the government announced additional measures. For an initial period of 14 days all inter-district travel is restricted, a curfew from 21:00 - 06:00 is in effect, shops are to sell essential items only and people are to stay at home unless they have good reason not to. Face masks are strongly encouraged, especially in public places.[12]

On 12 April, a government press release stated that the last 3 of the 10 infected people had been undergoing self isolation and all 10 are in the treatment facility in a stable condition. In total 1,354 people had entered quarantine for 2 weeks and 736 had completed the 2 weeks and been released.[13]

On 19 April, the first 6 recoveries were reported, following negative test results for the virus. 29 people remained in a stable condition with the virus and 516 were in quarantine.

On 21 April, it was announced that President Julius Maada Bio was self isolating following a positive test for the virus by one of his body guards.[14]

On 23 April, the first death of a 76-year-old male was reported,[15] followed by a 69-year-old male later in the day. Both cases were in people taken to hospital and found to be infected after death. All those infected and in isolation remain in a stable condition.

On 24 April, a third death was reported of a 37-year-old male.

A new 3 day lockdown was announced starting on 3 May.

On 3 May, 1,341 people were in quarantine with 29 total recoveries.

From 1 June, wearing of face masks became compulsory.[16] Also on this day, frontline workers declared a strike because of unpaid salaries.[17]

By 4 June, a total of 4,827 people had passed through quarantine, there were 468 female cases and 446 male cases.

On 13 June there were 563 female and 569 male cases reported. Karene district was he only district still reporting no cases and Western Urban had the most at 667 cases.

On 21 June there were 642 female and 685 male cases. A total of 6,602 people had passed through quarantine. Karene district (in the north of the country) remained without a case whilst Freetown urban had a total of 718 cases.