The Gambia’s Ministry of Health on Saturday confirmed five new COVID-19 coronavirus cases.

This comes weeks after the Ministry announced discharging some patients of the virus and number of other people in quarantine.

Speaking in a news conference on Saturday, Minister of Heath Dr Ahmadou Samateh said:”The Gambia has recently registered 5 confirmed COVID-19 cases.

“Two of the confirmed cases were in quarantine and later on home isolation on account of recent travel from the United Arab Emirates.

“One other confirmed case was in quarantine and also later on home isolation on account of recent travel from United Kingdom

“The remaining two confirmed cases are still in quarantine for being close contacts with the fourth confirmed case.”

The Health Minister added:”Currently the country has 6 active cases, 2 of which were locally transmitted.”

All four of the five new cases are all under the age of 30. 

The Gambia government has extended state of emergency to 45 days in an effort to curb the spread of the coronavirus. 

Reporting by Adama Makasuba