by Arfang M.S. Camara
The Ministry of Health has today (Friday) confirmed two new coronavirus cases whom are both Senegalese, bringing the total number confirmed of cases to 20 in The Gambia.
The latest confirmed cases are both Senegalese in their twenties (21 and 23). One of the confirmed cases is imported while the other got the disease through community transmission.
Dr. Mustapha Bittaye, acting director of Health Services, who was speaking today (Friday) during the ministry’s daily covid-19 briefing revealed that one of the two cases is the first case registered in Western Region Two.
He added that both cases were taken into quarantine in different circumstances.
“While one has been in quarantine for being a close contact of the 11th case, the other was taken into quarantine on account of recently returning to the country from Senegal.”
According to him, one of the previously reported probable cases has tested negative after being re-sampled, adding that he is still required to complete his mandatory quarantine period.
“Whereas 5 persons were newly taken into quarantine (3 from CRR and 2 from Serrekunda – all close contacts of confirmed cases), 6 people were discharged after testing negative for covid-19 upon completion of the mandatory quarantine period.”
He noted that out of a total of 77 test results received, 75 were negative and 2 tested positive for COVID-19, noting that the country currently has 100 persons under quarantine; 10 active cases and 2 probable cases.
Meanwhile, Senegal recorded 1, 551confirmed cases, 13 deaths and 611 recoveries.