DAKAR, May 2 (Xinhua) -- Senegalese Ministry of Health and Social Action on Saturday reported 91 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number to 1,115 cases in the country.
Among a record of 1,190 virological examinations carried out during the past 24 hours, 91 returned positive, Senegalese minister of Health and Social Action Abdoulaye Diouf Sarr announced during the daily briefing.
According to him, 87 are follow-up contact cases and four community transmission.
Twelve patients have been declared negative and cured, bringing the total number of cured patients to 368, he said, adding that four serious cases are under intensive care in two hospitals in Dakar.
Talking about the evolution of COVID-19 in the past month, Sarr said "the epidemic is not slowing down" with an increase of community transmission cases.
He affirmed the anti-COVID-19 measures and strategies taken by the Senegalese government have made it possible to keep the situation under control while 11 regions out of 14 are affected.
On Friday, authorities of Dakar, epicenter of the pandemic in Senegal, announced new measures to regulate the opening hours of business.
Stores selling food are allowed to open on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, while others shops are allowed to carry out activities on Tuesday and Thursday only. All markets should be shut down on Saturday and Sunday.
Senegal has isolated since March 20 with the suspension of all its international flights, while its state of emergency and curfew has been extended to May 4.
So far, Senegal has reported 1,115 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including nine deaths and 368 cured, since March 2. Among the confirmed cases in the country, 913 are follow-up contact cases, 86 are imported cases and 116 are community transmission cases. Enditem
