Monrovia, Liberia – The government of Liberia says four of the five primary contacts to Mr. Nathaniel Blama (Liberia’s first index case) have tested negative of the coronavirus.

The contacts included the driver of the suspended boss of the Environmental Protection Agency and another person who is said to have accompanied Blama to Switzerland.

The government said the only other contact whose result has come back positive is Johnny Phillips, a domestic worker to Mr. Blama.

A release said in spite of the negative tests, the National Public Health Institute has decided to keep all five primary contacts under special quarantine observation and will re-administer another round of tests in 7 days.

NPHIL has expressed optimism that Blama and Phillips, who continue to be in stable condition, will make full recovery.

Health authorities are continuing to trace all primary and secondary contacts of the index cases in order to have them tested.

Meanwhile, President George M. Weah has mandated NPHIL to create additional testing centers to be able to cope with the need for more testing.

The President has also instructed Finance Minister Samuel Tweah and Foreign Affairs Minister Gbehzongar Findley to work closely with the Ministry of Health in order to bring in the country additional testing and treatment equipment.