By Adama Makasuba
The Ministry of Health has announced that the 19 new cases including five health care workers of Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital staff and one staff of Medical Research Council to have tested positive for coronavirus, bringing the country’s total cases to 112.
“19 new cases registered – the highest reported in a single day – bringing to 112 the total number of COVID-19 cases ever confirmed in the country. Of these, 6 (32%) are healthcare workers – 5 from EFSTH and 1 from MRC,” Ministry of Health released.
The Ministry said out of the laboratory tests results that 18 cases were repeated and 185 are new cases, but added “the source and chain of infection of about 58% of the new cases could not be established which is evidence of the existence of community transmission.”
The government has now made wearing of face mask compulsory in a bid to curb further spread of the virus. Despite having some restriction measures in place, people could be seen flouting the rules as they blame the State of not doing much to curb the spread of the disease.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health said two Gambian soldiers and twenty-eight Arabic students were taken into quarantine center after travelling back into the country.
The Gambia has been experiencing massive rise in cases in the past weeks which has seen the country losing its first healthcare into the cold hand of the virus. His death has sparked fear among Gambians and those residing in the country.
At least 112 cases of the virus have been registered since its emergency in the country in March, 2020 with four deaths and 47 active cases.
According to the issued statement “While 63 persons were newly taken into quarantine, 96 have been discharged. The newly quarantined include 28 Arabic students and 2 military personnel who recently came into the country from locations with ongoing community transmission.”