#Headlines

Gambia record more covid-19 deaths

Aug 11, 2020, 11:28 AM | Article By: Arfang M.S. Camara

The covid-19 pandemic continues its surge in the Gambia as the Health Ministry recorded four new deaths on Sunday, bringing the total number of covid-19 related deaths to 23, with a crude case fatality ratio of 1.9%

In a daily covid-19 update, the Ministry of Health has said that all the four death cases (3 positive and 1 probable) were conducted posthumously.

The Health Ministry further indicated that 145 new cases have been registered, taking the total number of covid-19 cases confirmed in the country to 1,235, noting that this constitutes 43% positive test rate (145 out of 399 total tests performed).

“At least 36 of the new cases are MRC staff and their close contacts, unlike the previous sets of reported case, which were predominantly asymptomatic.”

According to the health officials, over 40 percent of the new cases are symptomatic with many presenting loss of taste or smell and intermittent coughing, noting that four families, afflicted by covid-19 related deaths were provided with psychosocial support and psycho-education service.

“Three hundred and ninety-nine new laboratory test results received from MRCG and NPHL. Of these, 22 newly returned in-determinant and 145 newly tested positive for covid-19,” the ministry says.

The ministry added that 75 new discharges effected from the treatment centers, bringing the cumulative number of recoveries to 221 (18% of confirmed cases), adding that whereas 24 persons were newly taken into quarantine, 170 new discharges were made.

Meanwhile, the country currently has 339 people in quarantine, 991 active cases, 134 probable cases and a crude case-fatality ratio of 1.9%.