Dr. Ahmadou
Lamin Samateh, the minister of Health has disclosed that The Gambia government
has allocated D500 million to strengthen Ministry of Health’s preparedness
against covid-19 (coronavirus).
In his latest
update on the covid-19 outbreak on Saturday, Dr. Ahmadou Lamin Samateh also
stated in a press briefing held at Kotu that at least 14 people fled quarantine
at the Banjul international airport on Saturday.
The minister
further indicated that they have 20 surveillance officers who are trained and
are currently helping on contact tracing for the fled individuals. “Those that
escaped quarantines did against the Public Health Act,” he warns.
Director of
Health Promotion, Modou Njai, also warned that when they are caught, they will
face the full force of the law. “It’s just like somebody taken to prison and
the person jumped and went away and the person is caught.”
The Gambia
registered its first case of covid-19 on 17 March 2020 when a Gambian young
lady who is in her 20s was tested positive of the virus upon returning from the
United Kingdom.
Thirty-four
other passengers who were on the same flight with her have been quarantined.
Health
officials stated that the woman who was tested positive of the virus was in
isolation at MRC and clinically stable.
The Gambia
government has also suspended flights from 43 countries including the US which
are affected by covid-19.
President
Barrow had on 17 March 2020 ordered the closure of schools and public
gatherings in all forms being social or religious.
Meanwhile,
Senegal has registered 11 fresh cases of covid-19 on Sunday, making a total of
67 with five being treated.
Pa Modou Cham
contributed to the reporting of this story
