Highlights
• As of 4 January, the cumulative number of confirmed, probable and suspected cases of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in Sierra Leone is estimated to have reached 9,780 with a total of 2,557 confirmed deaths; while 1,808 have been discharged from treatment. The number of people infected by Ebola in Sierra Leone,
Guinea and Liberia has now passed 20,000.
• As of 3 January, 14,766 children have been identified as being directly affected by the Ebola Crisis, including 7,938 children having lost one or both parents to EVD and 1,578 unaccompanied or separated from their caregiver.
• In support of the Western Area Surge (WAS) in Sierra Leone, USAID airlifted two urgently needed ambulances from Monrovia to Freetown.
• The preparation for the 4th payment cycle has been finalized and will be conducted from 5th-9th January. A total of 17,878 ERWs are projected to be paid.
• With UNMEER support, the National Ebola Response Center (NERC) has initiated a district level planning strategy across the country. The purpose of the exercise is to design district specific plans for each pillar for the coming few months.
• There are currently 125 burial teams operational in the country, conducting more than 190 EVD-confirmed or suspected burials/day. The MoHS, the Red Cross, Concern Worldwide, World Vision, CRS, CAFOD are in the lead.
• The first case of Ebola diagnosed in the UK has been confirmed in a nurse who has just returned home to London. She had been working in the Kerry Town facility in Sierra Leone. She was subsequently transferred to the Royal Free Hospital in London and is being treated for Ebola at a high-level isolation unit.
• The U.K have supported over 1,000 treatment and isolation beds, three new Ebola testing laboratories and is working closely with the GoSL to train and equip burial teams to ensure safe burial practices.
• The UK has responded to the initial logistical gap analysis produced by the District Ebola Response Centres (DERCs) and has rapidly distributed a further 28 ambulances, 2 burial vehicles and 8 surveillance vehicles to address prioritized needs across 9 districts.
