Senegal's COVID-19 cases rise to 1,551

Senegal’s coronavirus cases have risen to a total of !,551 after the Ministry of Health and Social Action confirmed 59 new cases on Friday.

As it stands, the number of deaths recorded in the African country as a result of the respiratory illness has risen to a total of 13, according to Worldometers.

Director-General of Public Health, Marie Khemesse Ngom Ndiaye, revealed that a total of 872 tests were conducted in the past 24 hours, and 59 turned positive, including 52 follow-up contact cases and seven community-transmission cases.

She said seven patients remain in intensive care units of two hospitals in Dakar and that 49 more patients tested negative were declared cured.

The country's state of emergency and curfew was extended until June 2 on Saturday by the president, Macky Sall, who has since March 20 suspended all international flights till at least May 31.

Although there are 611 recoveries since March 2, the health authorities have strengthened the search for asymptomatic cases for isolation.

All those who meet the criteria will be put into a dedicated isolation center and their health status will be monitored by medical staff; those infected patients who don't meet the criteria will be still treated in medical centers or hospitals.

Xinhua News