By Aisha Tamba
A marabout, 80, has become The Gambia’s second documented Covid-19 related death since the first was recorded in March.
According to the health ministry, the man recently returned from Senegal but evaded quarantine and stayed in Manjai Kunda for a week before developing symptoms.
He was eventually taken to the Kanifing General Hospital but was pronounced dead two hours after arrival. He was diabetic too.
The registration takes the country’s total number of cases to 37, with 11 active and two probable cases.
There are 250 persons in quarantine after 22 were newly taken in, with four new people
discharged upon completion of the mandatory quarantine period.
The health ministry said overcrowding at video clubs remains one of its biggest challenges after the resumption of Europe’s football leagues.
The ministry also said government continues to incur “prohibitive and unsustainable” cost at designated quarantine facilities.
According to the ministry, there is no quarantine facility in Central River Region and the holding facility at the Bansang Hospital is still not ready for use. It also complained that truck drivers, carrying essential commodities, are being allowed to enter the country from locations with ongoing community transmission.
It added: “People smuggling schemes common at three points of entry through use of motorcycles, donkey or horse carts and by foot.”
