Senegal hospitals overwhelmed by Covid patients

Senegal's health ministry is warning that hospitals in the capital Dakar are becoming overwhelmed due to a surge in Covid-19 cases. 

Infections have soared over the past month from a few dozen a day to around 1,700 daily cases. 

A senior public health official said medical staff in the city were burned out and that almost 99% of hospital beds were occupied. 

Laboratories have also been struggling to cope with a rise in demand for tests. 

Correspondents say President Macky Sall may be forced to impose tighter restrictions to limit the spread of the virus. 

A curfew and limits on gatherings were lifted after riots broke out in March.

This article originally appeared on BBC News

Photo: AFP