Gambia extends state of emergency to curb coronavirus

By Adam Abu-bashal

ABUJA, Nigeria (AA) - Gambia extended a nationwide state of emergency Thursday for another week as part of its fight against the novel coronavirus.

President Adama Barrow announced that the move was taken as a result of consultations with ministers in order to prevent the outbreak from spreading further in the country.

Stressing the need for people to stay home, Barrow called on those who have to venture outside to comply with all COVID-19 measures.

Gambia has reported 55 cases and two deaths from the coronavirus, while 27 people have recovered.

The pandemic has so far claimed over 520,000 lives in 188 countries and regions since it originated in Wuhan, China last December.

The US, Brazil, Russia and India are currently the worst-hit countries in the world.

More than 10.84 million COVID-19 cases have been reported worldwide, with recoveries exceeding 5.72 million, according to figures compiled by US-based Johns Hopkins University.

*Writing by Seda Sevencan