By Arfang M.S. Camara
The Gambia’s ministry of Health, through the acting director of Health Services, Dr. Mustapha Bittaye has confirmed 5 new positive cases of coronavirus in the country, noting that this is the highest number of cases confirmed in a single day in the Gambia so far.
Dr. Bittaye who was speaking today (Saturday) while representing the Health minister during their daily coronavirus briefing held at the Central Medical Store in Kotu said that The Gambia has now 7 active cases and 2 probable cases.
He added that one of the 5 new cases were reported from Central River Region (CRR), making it the first confirmed case from that region, while I of the cases is epi-linked to the 12th confirmed case and 3 were close contacts of the 11th case.
According to him, all the confirmed cases have been in quarantine and are now moved to the treatment center. He noted that only one of the confirmed cases is symptomatic.
“Out of the 28 test results received, 5 were positive for covid-19, 2 probable and 21 were negative. Both probable cases are epi-linked to the 12th cases.
He added that: “no new person was taken into quarantine, 2 were discharged after testing negative for covid-19 upon completion of their quarantine period. Currently the country has 72 persons under quarantine with 7 active cases.”
As covid-19 cases are increasing in the country, the acting director of health services advised called on the general public not to be complacent, revealing that covid-19 is rea.
He also went to remind ‘Koriteh’ sales persons (“wanterr”), shop keepers, salons, barber shops, tailors and general merchant dealers to observe the state of public emergency regulations on their business operations.
Dr. Bittaye said that the Ministry of health will strengthen surveillance at all points of entry including the undesignated one, noting that they will also ensure there is a synchronized cross-border surveillance system with Senegal
Meanwhile, Senegal has now recorded 1,190 confirmed cases, 9 deaths, 1 evacuated, 368 recoveries and 737 currently under treatment.
Globally since 31st December to 1st May, a total of 3,400,323 cases of covid-19 (in accordance with the applied case definitions in the affected countries) have been reported. Of these, 239, 570 deaths were registered and 1,081,162 recovered from the disease. Senegal recorded 1024 confirmed cases, 356 recoveries and 9 deaths.