Senegal: Resurgence of Coronavirus Cases Worries Authorities

Senegalese people wear a protective mask in the streets of Dakar on May 27, 2020. REUTERS / Zohra Bensemra

Text by: RFI Follow

Stricter health measures will soon come into force in Dakar, the Senegalese Minister of Health announced on May 30 at a press conference. The Senegalese capital and its region account for almost three quarters of the 3,535 cases of Covid-19 recorded since the start of the epidemic. For this single Saturday, May 30, the capital recorded 84 new cases, out of 106 across the country. A worrying situation according to the authorities who are working on a new action plan. 

Publicity

Read more

With our correspondent in Dakar,  Manon Laplace

If we lose our hand in Dakar, we risk losing the battle in the country  ". In a press conference this Saturday, May 30, the Senegalese Minister of Health, Abdoulaye Diouf Sarr was alarmist about the health situation in the capital. Epicenter of the epidemic in the country, the Dakar region counted 2,525 cases out of 3,429 as of May 29, or 73.6% of the country's infections. 

There is a real problem of community transmission in Dakar,  " explains Doctor Ousmane Gueye of the Ministry of Health. Indeed, the region concentrates more than half of the country's community cases, as a reminder these are these positive cases whose chain of contamination is untraceable. 

The Minister of Health has therefore decided to accentuate his awareness-raising strategy through prevention caravans led by community relays and ministry officials. Above all, new measures will be implemented specifically in the Dakar region.

Capital quarantine, tightening of curfews, partial containment? There is no solution to rule out,  " says Dr. Gueye. The national epidemic management committee will meet this Tuesday, June 2 to discuss it.

Newsletter Receive all international news directly in your mailbox

I subscribe

Follow all international news by downloading the RFI application

google-play-badge_FR

  • Senegal
  • Coronavirus

On the same subject

Reportage

Senegal: towards a return to normal for fast buses in Dakar

Series

Coronavirus in Senegal: two steps forward, one step back

Gradual return to normal in Senegal, the opposition resumes service