Panafrican News Agency

Coronavirus: Two persons test positive for new variant in Gambia

Banjul, Gambia (PANA)- Gambian Minister of Health, Dr. Ahamadou L. Samateh has said two people tested positive for the new variant of coronavirus as the West African  nation recorded the United Kingdom variant cases – the fastest transmissible coronavirus infection.

 

He made the disclosure to the national assembly select committee on health, which  was summoned on Thursday for  update on Covid-19, the strategies in place and the state of preparedness as the ministry addresses any possible resurgence of the pandemic.

 

“Our sequencing has revealed that two cases of UK variant are in the country now and we are delighted to say that they were tested on arrival and one of them was symptomatic,” he said.

 

He added: “We want to do more and more testing and it has been free in order to encourage many people to come, but for people who are travelling outside the country that will require a certificate ... cost is put on it for sustainability.

 

"We can sequence to know the various variant of covid-19 because there are UK variant and South Africa variant and possible there are others that are coming up.

 

“Vaccination is a very important step to such infectious disease like Covid-19 which has affected the world and the demand is higher for whatever vaccine that may be available."

 

Dr. Samateh told lawmakers that his ministry's target is to vaccinate up to 70% of the population.

 

 

Dr. Mustapha  Bittaye, director of health services, said: “I think we are in the beginning of second wave and it is starting to go up. If we act very fast and effectively it will go down, but it might continue to go up depending on how our response to the virus.”

-0- PANA MSS/AR 15Jan2021