The Gambian government is on the verge of declaring another state of emergency amid spikes in coronavirus cases, Freedom Newspaper can reveal. The lock down would be imposed in coming days. The Ministry of Health, according to our sources, have decided that only a lock down could help slow the pace of the current spike in corona cases.
The Gambia has so far recorded 4,414 coronavirus cases. Out of that figure, 3,901 patients have recovered. 138 patients have already died from the virus. Other corona death related cases haven’t been covered in the official statistics. There is under reporting of corona virus related cases and death in the country, one observer told this medium. Not all corona related deaths are documented, the observer added.
The upcoming lock down might not go down well with some section of the opposition. For example, the opposition said it is hypocritical for the Ministry of Health to declare a lock down at this time, when the said Ministry had allowed President Barrow to gather huge crowds during his meet the farmer tour. They also cited the launching of Barrow’s NPP party, an event they said was a corona super spreader event.
It is not clear if the upcoming lock down would not affect the upcoming UDP fundraising drive event. The party has been bracing up for the major event.