The Gambian Health ministry has dispelled rumours making rounds on social media that the country has registered its first coronavirus case at its main referral hospital in Banjul.

On Saturday, a rumour was trending on social media claiming that a suspected case of coronavirus (COVID-19) was detected at the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital in Banjul. 

But in a statement the ministry said:”(It) is aware of rumour circulating on social media that a Gambian from Italy reported to EFSTH with signs and symptoms of Covid-19

“We hereby inform the public that this information is not true and that the said patient has no signs/symptoms related to COVID-19.”

The statement added: “We assure the public that there has been no case of COVID-19 in Gambia and the Ministry and its partners are doing all it can to maintain Gambia free from COVID-19,”

Reporting by Adama Makasuba