West African Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination has on Friday said in a statement it was suspending the WASSCE 2020 timetable.
WASSCE said the negative impact of the novel and deadly COVID 19 pandemic and the subsequent protocols put in place by government of member countries to prevent the spread of the disease have ‘serious’ implications for the conduct of WASSCE for School candidates, 2020 as agreed by the national Offices.
“Please note that the proposal from the Secretariat on the need to reschedule WASSCE[SC] 2020 was approved by the Chairman of the Council,” the statement signed by E.K. Myers, Ag Head, IED, for the registrar, added.
According to the statement, the WASSCE [SC] 2020 timetable is suspended until further notice; the conduct of WASSCE [SC] 2020 to be put on hold until further notice; and directive (1) and (2) will be reviewed when the health situation improves.
The Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education announced on Friday students across the country will now take their lessons through the radio and TV following the shutting down of schools over COVID-19.
President Adama Barrow earlier this week ordered that all schools across the country be closed after a woman was tested positive for coronavirus. Officials have since been travelling continents over how to recover contact hours that students are set to lose.
The education ministry has now said it has been in engagement with media houses for the past two days and agreements are made to have lessons on radio and television stations across the country starting Monday, 23rd March 2020.
“Parents and caregivers are urged to use this as an opportunity to keep children at home to make the best use of the days they are out of school and also as a means to protect them from the deadly COVID – 19,” the ministry said.
Imam Abdoulie Fatty on Friday rested his sermon on coronavirus, casting possible reasons that could trigger such a crisis.
Imam Fatty said in his sermon at Masjid Zubair: “Nothing happens except on God’s knowledge and nothing would happen except on God’s instruction. God puts his servants to trial with disaster and blessing. In most instances if it is a test, it’s for us to return and re-commit to God. God said ‘We will test them with good things and bad things so that they can return to Us’.
“But God said when a bad thing comes to them [human beings] and they repent, he will overturn it. But he said some are hard-hearted and when a bad thing comes their hearts become even harder and would not prevent them from doing their things and Satan makes the things they do look attractive to them.
“A second point Muslims should also understand that leads to disasters befalling humans is when committing sin becomes widespread and God gets angry. God would then bring a punishment. God said, ‘nothing will befall you [humans] except what your hands have done’. But God says he forgives most of them. If it had been he punishes humans for whatever they do, then the world would have ended. He would punish some and forgives some.
“A hadith said, ‘when fornication becomes widespread to the extent they announce it, God would bring a disease that the previous generations have no knowledge of’. Today, fornication is being announced everywhere. It’s quite troubling. Even people nowadays announce fornication with their bodies. Because if you wear a particular kind of dress, you’re basically telling men, ‘I’m here’.
“God will not bring the world to an end until what the messenger told us on how the world is going to end. Corona is not going to end it, it’s a trumpet that will be blown and the world would end. All Muslims should believe in this. But there are signs before that trumpet will be blown. The thing that will kill all believers in one instant is a nice-scented air that will come and every believer that breathes it in would all die.”
The new head of the country’s army who was appointed to the top job last week has gone into self-isolation after travelling in the same flight as the woman who has virus, army spokesman Lamin Sanyang has said.
Major General Yakuba Drammeh was appointed head of the army following the sacking of Masanneh Kinteh.
The general had travelled last week and came back into the country on Sunday onboard the same flight as the 21-year-old Gambian lady who has the virus, Major Lamin Sanyang told The Fatu Network.
“As we speak, the ministry of health and the relevant authorities have contacted the Gambia Armed Forces to ensure that the two officers that’s the CDS and the senior officer go on self-quarantine for 14 days which they have started in earnest,” he added.
Medical Research Council has pushed back at reports suggesting a photo shared on various social media platforms is the coronavirus patient in isolation at the council.
A photo was shared on social media on Thursday suggesting it was the lady in isolation at MRC.
The council in a statement on Friday said it is aware of information circulating on “social media and on a local radio linked to the distribution of a supposed photo of the isolated Covid-19 patient in its Fajara clinic”.
“We wish to inform the general public that the photo circulating on social media is not a photo of the isolated #COVID19 patient.
“We prioritise patient privacy, and encourage the media to support our efforts by only sharing reliable, verified information,” MRC said.
What do malaria and COVID-19 have in common? On the surface, not much. But according to early research, an old malaria drug called chloroquine might also work for the new coronavirus.
Could a decades-old malaria drug work to treat COVID-19? Elon Musk seems to think so, recently tweeting that it “might be worth considering chloroquine” for COVID-19. Although data are spare, studies so far seem to back up the billionaire entrepreneur’s suggestion.
Chloroquine, or hydroxychloroquine, has been used to treat malaria since 1944. It can be given before exposure to malaria to prevent infection, and it can also be given as treatment afterward.
Malaria is a disease that is caused by a parasite, unlike COVID-19. Nevertheless, laboratory studies show chloroquine is effective at preventing as well as treating the virus that causes severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, a close cousin of COVID-19.
Given chloroquine’s effectiveness in treating SARS, scientists have investigated if it will be an effective treatment against the new coronavirus responsible for COVID-19. So far, the initial trials are encouraging.
“There is evidence that chloroquine is effective when they looked at SARS in vitro with primate cells,” said Dr. Len Horovitz, a pulmonologist and internist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. “The theory of the experiment with primate cells was that chloroquine could be for preventing viral infection or as a treatment for viral infection after it had occurred. In vitro in these primate cells, there was evidence that viral particles were significantly reduced when chloroquine was used.”
Both the virus that causes SARS and the virus responsible for COVID-19 belong to the same overarching family of coronaviruses. Researchers in China discovered that the protein spikes on the surface of the COVID-19 virus are similar to the protein spikes found on the surface of the SARS virus.
People become infected when those protein spikes bind to special receptors on the outside of human cells. Chloroquine works by interfering with those receptors, which may interfere with the virus’s ability to bind to cells.
“The way that it worked against SARS was by preventing of the attachment of the virus to the cells. Chloroquine interfered with the attachment to that receptor on the cell membrane surface,” Horovitz said. “So it’s disrupting a lock and key kind of mechanism of attachment.”
Researchers in China found that treating patients with COVID-19-associated pneumonia with chloroquine may shorten their hospital stay and improve the patient’s outcome.
There are more than 20 ongoing clinical trials in China and more scheduledto start in England, Thailand, South Korea and the United States.
Banjul, The Gambia– In the midst of the global COVID-19 pandemic, The United States is taking decisive action to inform and safeguard U.S. citizens overseas, protect the homeland, advance the Administration’s commitment to building global health security capacity for this and future outbreaks, and reduce the impact on U.S. companies and supply chains overseas.
On March 2, our USAID announced $37 million in financing allocated for countries affected or at high risk of the Wuhan virus’s spread. That comes on top of the $100 million in humanitarian assistance and delivery of more than 17 tons of assistance that the United States has sent to the Chinese people back in January. The U.S. assistance reflects continued U.S. commitment to preventing and treating infectious diseases. As outlined in its Global Health Security Strategy, the U.S. partners with other countries to better prevent, detect and respond to infectious disease threats at the source. Since 2009, USAID has invested more than $1 billion to help prevent, detect and respond to endemic and emerging health threats, including diseases like COVID-19. “This commitment — along with the hundreds of millions generously donated by the American private sector — demonstrates strong U.S. leadership in response to the outbreak,” said U.S. Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo.
The United States has also taken measures to ensure the safety and security of American Citizens around the world.
On March 14, the Department of State authorized the departure from any diplomatic or consular post in the world of US personnel and family members who have been medically determined to be at higher risk of a poor outcome if exposed to COVID-19.
On March 15, the Peace Corps announced it would suspend Volunteer operations and begin evacuating Volunteers from all posts due to the COVID-19 outbreak. These evacuations represent the temporary suspension of Volunteer activities. The Peace Corps is not closing posts, and they will be ready to return to normal operations when conditions permit.
Here in The Gambia:
As of March 17, 2020 the United States Embassy in The Gambia is cancelling routine nonimmigrant visa appointments. The Embassy will resume routine visa services as soon as possible but are unable to provide a specific date at this time. If an applicant has already paid the MRV fee they should note that it is valid and may be used for a visa application in the country where it was purchased within one year of the date of payment.
On March 17, 2020, the American Corners in Bundung and on Kairaba Avenue temporarily closed to the public for an assessment of protocols to effectively mitigate the risk to the many Gambians who use the facilities on a regular basis.Updates on the status of the corners will be posted on the Facebook page, facebook.com/AmericanCornerGambia.
During this crisis, the Unites States will continue to lead in global health security. The United States has been working for decades to improve global capacity to contain outbreaks at their source and minimize their impact. These investments and partnership shave laid foundations to rapidly and effectively prepare for emerging threats, including the current outbreak.
We encourage all Gambians to look to reliable sources of information during this global health crisis. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is a great source of up-to-date and accurate information from top health care professionals fighting the COVID-19 outbreak. Please visit the CDC’s COVID-19 information page at https://www.coronavirus.gov.
The Gambia government on Thursday approved a sum of 500 million dalasis emergency fund to the ministry of health to fight against the deadly coronavirus.
The move comes tow days after the country confirmed first case of the virus in a Gambian lady who travelled from UK. President Barrow however has banned public gatherings and closed schools and universities.
The fund pledge on Thursday also came hot on the heels of a ban on all flights from 13 countries across the globe.
A statement from State House said: “In response to the coronavirus pandemic, President Adama Barrow has approved an emergency response fund of 500 million dalasis to the ministry of health for the effective, adequate, and timely response to the outbreak.”
The National Disaster Management Agency has called on Gambians to desist from publishing misleading and unfounded information on coronavirus.
The agency said in a statement signed by its executive director Sanna Dahaba: “It has been brought to the attention of the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), that certain unscrupulous individuals are publishing, misleading and in some cases unfounded information relating to the COVID19 virus.
“The Agency wishes to inform the general public to desist from such acts as it contravenes Section. 125 of the NDMA Act of 2008, which states, ‘A person who, without lawful authority, makes or circulates a false alarm or warning as to a threatening disaster situation or disaster or its severity or magnitude, leading to panic, commits an offence and is liable on conviction, to a fine not exceeding five hundred thousand dalasis or imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years, or to both the fine and imprisonment’.
“The Agency wishes to encourage Gambians and none-Gambians alike to contact the Ministry of Health if they have concerns/information in relation to the virus, or listen to the Media houses task to disseminate information about the Corona Virus.”
The Gambia government listed China No. 1 in the list of countries where flights could still come into the country amid the coronavirus crisis.
The Barrow administration on Thursday announced a ban on flights from 13 countries in an attempt to prevent a spread of the coronavirus. China, where the virus originated from and where at least 80, 000 people have been infected never made that list.
State House have now adjusted its statement to say that cabinet has approved that Gambians and non-Gambians travelling from 47 countries in Asia, Europe and the Americas to The Gambia will undergo mandatory quarantine for 14 days. China sat at No. 1 spot.
“This decision will be reviewed regularly and the public will be informed accordingly,” State House said of the move.
State House said on Thursday an immediate decision has been taken to suspend flights coming into the country from 13 countries.
“The 4th Cabinet session chaired by President Adama Barrow has been updated on the COVID 19 situation in the country. An immediate decision was taken that flights from thirteen (13) countries are suspended with immediate effect until further notice,” State House said in a statement.
It comes two days after a first case of coronavirus was confirmed in the country – in the name of a woman that travelled into the country with the infection from UK.
The ban also comes as Gambians online continued to bash the Barrow government over its response to the crisis. Calls had already abounded for the country’s borders to be closed in a bid to stop the virus getting into The Gambia.
The ban on flights affects 13 countries, all of them in Europe with UK sitting at No 1. Other countries include Spain, France and Germany.
China, the country where the coronavirus originated from and where at least 80,000 people have been infected never made the 13-country list. China is a friend to The Gambia and one of its biggest development partners.
The ministry of trade said Thursday there is adequate stocks of all ‘essential’ food commodities amid fear stocks may dry up due to the coronavirus crisis.
“The ministry would like to inform the general public that there is adequate stocks of all essential food commodities in the country and hence no course [sic] for panic,” the ministry said in a statement.
According to the trade ministry, the stocks of rice with the major importers in the country stands at 18, 214 metric tonnes and the expected stocks for the next week is estimated at 20,000 metric tonnes.
“The two combined is more than the two months average consumption level for The Gambia,” the ministry said in its statement.
The trade minister also warned the business community not to use the “current situation to exploit the consumers by hoarding, hiking prices and other anti-competitive practices which are all illegal under the laws of The Gambia.”
“The ministry will therefore use all its surveillance mechanisms to closely monitor the situation and anybody found wanting will face the full force of the law,” the ministry said.
Thirty-three travellers stormed out of Golden Beach Hotel in Bijilo after they were sent there for coronavirus isolation.
The travellers who included Gambians and Senegalese jetted into the country from Birmingham, UK via InterAir on Wednesday. Officials quickly put them in a bus and sent them to Golden Beach Hotel. The travellers which also included a Sierra Leonean who had a child who was disabled and mentally challenged, spent ‘a few’ hours there before storming out into society.
One of them told The Fatu Network: “We were not quarantined, if we were quarantined, it should have started at the airport. Because we were mingling with everybody even at the airport. So there was no quarantine, there was no procedure, there was no process.
“They didn’t take us to a hotel, they took us to a brothel. There’s a difference between a hotel and a brothel. A brothel is probably where you take prostitutes.
“They give us a place that was abandoned for months and months and they expected us to stay.
“They didn’t tell us anything, we had no communication from anybody, up until even now. There was no one there from the ministry of health or the government. No one spoke to us, nobody. There was nobody at the hotel when we got there. Basically, the Gambian government is incompetent.
“I am not gonna stay in a hotel where I feel more vulnerable than anything else because there is no process, there is no procedure. The beds have bedbugs on them. That place can give us coronavirus.”
The chief justice on Wednesday wrote to all judges, magistrates and cadis informing that proceedings in all the courts in the country have been suspended.
“Following extensive consultations on measures to prevent the occurence and spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) it is hereby directed that proceedings in all courts in The Gambia be suspended with immediate effect from Monday the 23rd of March 2020 until further notice,” Hassan B Jallow said in a letter sent to all judges, all magistrates and all cadis.
It comes less than 24 hours since it was announced by the Gambia government that coronavirus has been confirmed in the country after a lady who travelled to the country from UK tested positive for the virus.
Wednesday has also seen the closure of schools across the country following a declaration from President Adama Barrow on Tuesday. The president also banned mass gatherings in the country.
The suspension of court activities comes a few hours after the National Assembly and the TRRC all halted their activities.
Food Safety and Quality Authority on Wednesday called on all dealers in food to observe proper personal hygiene in response to the deadly coronavirus.
It comes less than 24 hours after the country confirmed its first case of coronavirus, a deadly infection wreaking havoc on the world.
“The Food Safety and Quality Authority would in the wake of the ravaging coronavirus pandemic, like to enjoin all Food Business Operators and/or food handlers to observe the following laid down recommended principles, in a bid to maintain the quality and safety of the food they sell to the public: Maintain proper personal hygiene, which includes regular and thorough hand washing with soap and running water; frequent disinfecting of hands using Alcohol-based sanitizers that have more than 60% of alcohol; promote and maintain good respiratory hygiene; endeavour to wear nose masks while serving food…,” Food Safety and Quality Authority said in a statement on Wednesday.
The authority is also calling on the food dealers to be sensitive of their immediate surrounding by keeping it clean and to advise sick personnel to stay at home.
The authority also asked food dealers to avoid talking while serving food; avoid, sneezing and coughing on the food that is ready to be served; frequently disinfect all food contact surfaces; and provide hand sanitizers to customers.
Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education is currently holding an emergency summit to finding solutions on how they could recover hours to be lost in the 21 days break.
On Tuesday, President Barrow banned all public gatherings and closed schools and Universities and Madarasas amid fears of coronavirus.
The National Assembly today suspended sessions in response to the novel coronavirus tearing through the world.
The Gambia on Tuesday recorded its first case after a 21-year-old Gambian returned to the country from UK with the infection. She has since been isolated at MRC.
The Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission also announced today it was suspending its public hearings until June.
On Tuesday, President Adama Barrow announced a ban on mass gatherings and ordered that all schools across the country be closed.
The minister of health Dr Ahmadou Samateh said Tuesday evening a lady in her 20s is receiving medical care at Medical Research Council after testing positive for coronavirus, making her the first coronavirus patient in The Gambia.
Dr Samateh said on GRTS, standing: “We would like to inform the public of a confirmed case of COVID-19 who is currently in isolation and receiving excellent medical care at the Medical Research Council clinic in Fajara.
“This is different from the two suspected cases from Indonesia that tested to be negative. This announcement marks the first case of COVID-19 in The Gambia. This particular confirmed case is a lady in her 20s who returned to the country on Sunday from UK through the Banjul International Airport.
“A day after arrival, she started to have fever and decided to self-isolate at home. She reported to the MRC under isolation and was tested and was confirmed to be positive.
“The ministry of health in collaboration with the Medical Research Council has started the process of contact tracing and will endeavour to reach all contacts especially those in the same flight.”
President Adama Barrow has announced a ban on on all public gatherings and ordered the shutting down of all schools across the country, in an huge effort to prevent coronavirus coming into the country.
“This suspension includes all international and local conferences, workshops and seminars to be hosted in The Gambia. All schools, including universities, madrassas and daras or majlis will be closed from Wednesday, 18th March 2020 for 21 days,” the president said in an address to the nation on Tuesday.
The president added: “Furthermore, all other public gatherings in whatever form, including lumos (open markets) and Gamos are immediately suspended for three weeks.
“The suspension period will be subject to review as we get updates from the experts.”
According to the president, there was no reported case of any Coronavirus infection in The Gambia so far.
“However, the Government is not complacent. There are surveillance teams at all major entry points into the country, whether by air or land,” he said.
The announcements come as fear grows over the deadly infection that has shaken the whole world. At least 120 countries have been hit by the virus among them next-door neighbour Senegal.
