Liberia churches celebrate end of Ebola

MONROVIA, Liberia (AP) — Drumbeats echoed across Liberia’s capital as Christian leaders heeded the president’s call to celebrate the eradication of Ebola following a horrific outbreak that claimed more than 4,700 lives in this West African nation.

At New Covenant Outreach Ministries Incorporated, a fast-growing Pentecostal church in Monrovia, choir leader Ester Tamba led the congregation in a standing ovation Sunday to mark 42 days of no Ebola cases, the milestone reached Saturday that means an outbreak is officially over.

For the first time in a year, worshippers were not forced to have their temperatures taken before entering the church.

An official government celebration is planned for Monday. At the same time, officials have warned about new cases of Ebola that continue to be reported in neighboring Guinea and Sierra Leone.

• Liberia