The Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia (MRCG) at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) said it has terminated its daily coronavirus diagnostic reports as of June 4.
“With effect from 4th June, the Unit will no longer share daily diagnostics reports on social media and our website,” it stated in a brief note.
The medical research body, which has “invested over 2.3 million Dalasi to conduct more than 1,972 tests” as of June, refers the public to follow the covid-19 situation reports by the ministry of health.
The decision came after the Unit “successfully supported the National Public Health Laboratories (NPHL) to begin testing for covid-19 as part of our contributions to the national response”, according to Jama Jack, the Unit’s Communication Head.
“The NPHL now have the lead responsibility for covid-19 diagnostics in The Gambia, and this also includes reporting on diagnostics results,” Ms Jack said in an email response.
Until recently, the MRC was the only facility conducting tests for coronavirus in The Gambia. The Unit said it will continue carrying out tests.
The MRC last reported diagnostic test results on its website and social media pages on Facebook and Twitter three weeks ago. The Unit has been hailed as “doing a good job” according to its social media followers.
As of July 17, The Gambia has 93 cases confirmed of the coronavirus, four of whom have died, according to the ministry of health.
