About 173 people have tested positive for coronavirus in the Greater Banjul Area. 

According to the Ministry of Health the new cases came from test samples taken in three days.

Four coronavirus deaths were also confirmed. Two of the recent deaths were believed to be a husband and wife who were buried side by side yesterday at the Old Jeshwang Cemetery.

There has been an exponential rise in coronavirus cases affecting every strata of the Gambian society. 

The Vice President of The Gambia Dr. Isatou Touray and three of her cabinet colleagues have all tested positive for coronavirus. The president is in self-isolation as precautionary measure. 

As the coronavirus pandemic worsened in the country, the government is facing mounting pressure to implement more extreme measures in the fight against Covid-19.

On Sunday the mayor of Banjul Rohey Malick Lowe made an emotional appeal for the government to deploy soldiers in the Greater Banjul Area, which is now the epicentre of the pandemic, to enforce lockdown and social distancing rules. 

Reporting by Adama Makasuba