Sierra Leone's Ministry of Health on Thursday confirmed that the Ebola virus disease has killed 26 people out of 246 tested cases in the West African country.

Speaking at a press conference, Health Minister Miata Kargbo said the figures show 103 confirmed cases with 12 survivors.

Kargbo noted that the figures are a manifestation that the health workers "have access to places they had difficulty to access" as the Koindu and Kissi Teng chiefdoms were not easily accessible.

The minister said people are now more cooperative to take the tests and all the screening checkpoints are very "functional."

She said 13 checkpoints have been established in the Kailahun, Kono and Kenema districts in the east of Sierra Leone.

"Each checkpoint is manned by four medical staff, and they are provided with cell phones, chlorine, disposable thermometers including gloves," she said.