The
Gambia government says it is determined to strengthen surveillances over
covid-19 disease.
On
Monday, following long hours of cabinet meeting at State House, Dr. Ahmadou
Lamin Samateh, the minister of Health confirmed there is no case of coronavirus
in the country. “However, we know that there are confirmed cases across the
border in Senegal and even well before Senegal confirmed any case, The Gambia
has been working together collectively to enhance its preparedness level
regarding coronavirus outbreak.”
According
to him, the country’s preparedness is ongoing, noting that they do things as
they have been identified.
“The
country’s preparedness is an ongoing process because we do things that have
been identified. We as a country are very effective in trying to first prevent
the entry of the disease into the country and also very vigilant on our border
entries,” he said.
“When
a patient’s temperature is beyond the normal value, that person is put aside
and we make further follow up and investigate regarding the infection of the
disease.”
If
a person is suspicious, various tests are done to prove and confirm the
infection. If it happens that the person gets coronavirus, then the clinical
management will take place,” he said.
For
his part, Mambureh Njie, minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, revealed
that as at now the coronavirus outbreak is not affecting the country’s economy
as The Gambia is yet to confirm any case of the virus.
