MONROVIA, Liberia, July 30 (UPI) -- In an effort to stem the spread of the deadly Ebola virus, Liberia announced Wednesday it will close all schools and place non-essential government employees on mandatory leave for at least 20 days.
President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf also stipulated that Friday will be a non-work day so that all public facilities can be disinfected.
As of July 23, the World Health Organization reported a total of 672 deaths and 1,201 cases of confirmed, probable and suspected Ebola in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. Of those, there have been 249 cases and 129 deaths in Liberia.
The Peace Corps announced Wednesday it is temporarily suspending programs in the West African countries most affected by the outbreak in order to ensure the safety of its volunteers.
The Ebola virus is spread by close contact and typically kills up to 90 percent of its victims. There is no known cure or antivirus.
