Sheikh, from the Village Pilote association wears a protective face mask during a food distribution to street children amid an outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Dakar, Senegal April 1, 2020. Picture taken April 1, 2020./ REUTERS
Senegal on Friday reported 12 new confirmed cases of COVID-19, bringing the country’s total to 207.
The 12 new cases are seven imported ones and five close contacts of earlier confirmed patients, Minister of Health and Social Action Aboudulaye Diouf Sarr told a daily briefing. A total 153 tests were conducted.
The seven imported cases are among Senegalese nationals who were intercepted on March 29 when trying to return to Senegal from another African country, Sarr said.
Among the 207 cases now confirmed, 84 are imported ones. Besides one death, one was evacuated back to his country, and 66 patients have been declared cured by local health authorities.
On March 23, President Macky Sall declared a state of emergency across Senegal, imposing a dusk-to-dawn curfew.
Sall also banned public or private meetings of any kind, and ordered temporary closure of public places and meeting places.
Senegal has suspended all international passenger flights till April 17.