Coronavirus: Gambia records 46 new cases
Banjul, Gambia (PANA) - The Gambia Friday recorded 46 new cases of coronavirus (COID-19), taking the West African nation’s cases to 216, the ministry of Health said here in its situation report.
The report also announced one new death, bringing to six the total number of COVID-19 related deaths reported, representing a crude case fatality rate of 2.8 per cent.
The steep rise came as President Adama Barrow lifted the five-month-old State of Public Emergency in The Gambia in accordance with the 1997 Constitution, to effectively respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 46 new cases, the highest reported in a single day, bring to 216 the total number of COVID-19 cases ever confirmed in the country.
Meanwhile, The Gambia Association of Resident Doctors (GARD) has expressed concern that the country has a frail health system which is currently undergoing its biggest public health emergencies that would in turn have a detrimental effect on the health sector.
The government announced Monday that wearing of masks was mandatory in all enclosed public spaces amid fresh outbreaks starting today.
PANA observed that a majority of Gambians were not developing the habit of mask wearing, while many called on the government to help provide free face masks for vulnerable Gambians and non-Gambians, as many people might not be financially strong to get one on their own.
-0- PANA MSS/A 24Jul2020
