COVID-19: Two patients escape from Gambia's isolation centres

At least two COVID-19 patients have successfully escaped from Gambia's quarantine centre, then health ministry on Wednesday.

“The Ministry of Health regrets to inform the public that four passengers out of 140 who arrived in the country on the 22nd June 2020 with the SN Brussels flight escaped from quarantine,’’ a statement from the ministry stated.

According to the ministry, out of the four escapees, one surrendered himself to the health authorities, while the second was reported by a neighbour and subsequently picked up.

The ministry expressed disappointment, indicating that the government has rented standard hotels as quarantine sites for convenience purposes, unlike other countries that use school halls.

It warned the remaining two to report themselves immediately or would publicise their details in the media.

“The Ministry of Health is soliciting the continuous support and cooperation of the general public in its efforts to contain COVID-19 and also in addressing healthcare needs of the population,’’ it stressed.

The Gambia has so far reported 42 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including two deaths and 26 recoveries.

(Xinhua/NAN)