The National COVID-19 Emergency Response Centre (NaCOVERC) will scale down its personnel by minimum of 40 percent from November 1, 2020, a senior official of NaCOVERC said on Friday.
The Spokesperson of NaCOVERC, Solomon Jamiru Esq. said in statement on Friday that “this decision was reached at a workforce rationalization conference held from 19-21 October at the Golden Tulip, Aberdeen in Freetown.”
“This marked the 30th week of the Coronavirus outbreak in Sierra Leone,” the statement read.
According to the statement from NaCOVERC, to arrive at the decision the conference was informed by an assessment of the epidemiological data especially for the last three (3) months, which indicates a general downward trend in COVID-19 cases nationwide. It further that in the light of the general downward trend in cases, the Conference reasoned and concluded that “it will not be fiscally prudent to retain the over 9,000 workforce nationwide.”
According to NaCOVERC, as at 23rd October, there were twenty-three (23) homes under quarantine (all being self-quarantine), with a total of 175 persons in three (3) Districts -Western Area Urban, Western Area Rural and Port Loko Districts. Positive cases admitted in treatment and care centres as at November 23, 2020 nationwide was below 5% of the total bed capacity which is 984. Majority of the Districts had gone for several incubation periods without recording a case (one incubation period is 14 days). For instance, Kambia District had gone up to 7 incubation periods without a case as at October 23rd.
According to NaCOVERC, “consequently, the workforce will scale down by minimum forty percent (40%) effective November 1, 2020. In the event of any surge which may require scaling up the workforce, a personnel and logistical re-engagement mechanism has already been agreed.”
The agency also revealed that Risk allowances accounted for a large percentage of the funding portfolio, and reasoned that the cut will enable it to refocus and repurpose funds towards emergency and health systems strengthening which are two critical national imperatives.
They stressed the fact that the cutting down of staff does not in any way signal the end of COVID-19, and assured that the Response will continue to keep the virus in check, and encourages cooperation from all.
By Sallieu S. Kanu
26/10/2020. ISSUE NO: 7938