Gambia and COVID-19 : SIC calls for suspension of prayers at mosques

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By PA ABLIE CORR

Amid confirmation of third case of Coronavirus, Supreme Islamic Council, SIC has asked imams across the country to suspend prayers in their mosques to help check the spread of the deadly Coronavirus.

The Gambia has already registered three cases of Coronavirus.

Two men and a woman are already proven positive and one of them, a man in his 70’s died.

The President of SIC, Muhammad Lamin Touray said on the state television, GRTS on Tuesday: “Just day before yesterday, there was a country where it killed 700 people in just one day. So Supreme Islamic Council is here today to plead with all imams for all of us to close our mosques and adhere to the government’s order.”

Gambia’s third case of Coronavirus
The Gambia recorded it third COVID-19 case from a man believed to be traveler from France who happened to infected with the virus.
Upon reaching his native village in Nyumuyel, Basse, Upper River Region he started to develop signs and symptoms and decided to voluntarily report himself to police and was escorted to MRC and where he was tested positive of the virus.

Second case and only death so far
The second confirmed COVID-19 case in The Gambia was reported when a Bangladeshi man who was on a preaching mission to The Gambia was proven positive.
he man was believed to be in his 70’s was the second recorded infected per and the first person to die of the pandemic in the country.
The government of the Gambia through the ministry of Health and Social Welfare on Tuesday announced its first case of COVID-19.

The first recorded case

In a televised statement, Health Minister, Ahmaou Lamin Samateh said officials in The Gambia had confirmed infection in a young woman believed to be in her mid-20’s who had recently traveled from the Unite Kingdom (UK) to The Gambia.

Reports indicate that she went into self-isolation after feeling feverish, before being confirmed positive.

“All passengers who came in the same flight or in contact with the confirmed case will be traced and undergo isolation,” said the minister.

Samateh’s announcement followed statement from President Barrow, who announced last week Tuesday before The Gambia registering its first confirmed case.

The president announced a ban on public gatherings and the closure of schools for three weeks since last week.

Travelers from affected countries will also be isolated for two weeks, the president said.