The mass sample collection exercise was held at both Bakau Community Center and Bakau Lower and Upper Basic School. It is expected to end today.
“We are doing this exercise in the community of Bakau to help their inhabitants to know their status about the virus. We are urging all the people of Bakau especially those around Cape Point where some of the new confirmed cases emanated from to come out and be tested so as to know their status,” Buba Darboe, programme officer Health Communication told The Point.
He added that it is also very important for one to know his/her status earlier to ascertain whether they have been infected with the virus or not for self and family protection.
“If a patient knows his/her covid-19 status earlier, it helps him/her and government as well. This is important as it helps the community of Bakau and the country at large to minimise the danger surrounding covid-19.”
“Some victims of the confirmed cases of covid-19 have never experience the signs and symptoms of the coronavirus. One might have the disease without experiencing some of the signs and symptoms.”
Buba, who also doubles as the vice chair, Community Risk Engagement Committee of Ministry of Health urged the community of Bakau to come out and get tested so as to help the Gambia in its quest of fighting coronavirus.
For his part, Sherriff Gomez, former minister of Youth and Sports, said that that was a very important exercise for not only Bakau but the entire country.
“This exercise is very important for the community because there is a discovery around the people of Bakau. We are in a state of emergency and there should be an enforcement of total lockdown from government so as to conduct a mandatory testing exercise.”
He added that it is very important for one to get tested so as to help them as a people and the country at large to know their status about covid-19, adding that people need to get tested so as to get help, get isolated and treated.
Modou Lamin Sidibeh, a native of Bakau who came for voluntary testing observed that the turnout was a bit low. He opined that this may be lack of enough communication within the community.
“There should be a proper communication so that people can know what is happening in their community. Coronavirus is real and deadly as it claimed so much many lives including in The Gambia.”
He called on the government to continue with such exercises as it could play an important role in the fight against coronavirus in the country.
