Dr.
Ahmad Lamin Samateh, the minister of Health has briefed the press on the level
of preparedness for novel coronavirus (covid-19), while confirming that no case
has been confirmed in the country.
“The
Gambia is yet to register a case of confirmed coronavirus infection. At least
355 people of interest have been followed with home isolation of which 149 have
completed follow-up without any symptoms, with 206 are currently under
surveillance and none has shown symptoms. Of the total seen, eight required
laboratory testings were all negative.”
He
stated that WHO has helped Health Ministry with US$8.8 million for the
preparedness of the disease.
Dr.
Samateh explained that the disease has been confirmed in at least 135 countries
in the world and in almost all continents; adding 142,539 cases have been
confirmed globally with 5393 deaths.
He
said Senegal has declared many confirmed cases and there is local transmission
from person to person in Senegal.
“The
detection of the disease in Senegal which is the only neighbour to The Gambia
means that our efforts in the prevention of the case have to be strengthened.”
