FREETOWN, Sierra Leone, Dec. 12 (UPI) -- The government of Sierra Leone has banned all public celebrations of Christmas and New Year's as the nation continues to battle the spread of Ebola.
Sierra Leone has seen the largest impact from the global health crisis with over 8,000 known cases and 1,900 deaths since winter 2013. In just the last three weeks 1,319 new Ebola infections were diagnosed in Sierra Leone, prompting President Ernest Bai Koroma to note it seemed "as if the cases are increasing."
"We will ensure that everybody remains at home to reflect on Ebola," Palo Conteh, head of Sierra Leone's Ebola response, unit said in a statement.
The majority of Sierra Leone is Muslim, but a quarter of the population is Christian or celebrates Christmas. The holiday is often celebrated in the country with public gatherings and group worship.
