Over 200 Senegalese soldiers returning from The Gambia have tested positive for coronavirus.
The soldiers returned just returned from The Gambia after a regional security force service.
Senegal’s army and health ministry disclosed this sad news on Tuesday.
In an earlier statement made by the army, it disclosed that 100 members of the more than 600-strong contingent contracted the virus.
An army PR official said the 208 soldiers are currently staying at an army “hotel” in the village of Guereo, some 60 kilometres (35 miles) south of the capital Dakar.
The Gambia, has confirmed 3,428 covid-19 cases and 105 deaths.
Senegal, on the other hand has 14,529 cases and 298 deaths.
The Senegalese troops were first deployed in January 2017 as part of a West African force.
Their duty was to ensure that there is a smooth transition of power after outgoing president Yahya Jammeh refused to accept defeat and handover to Adama Barrow following election.
Its mission has since been prolonged at Barrow’s request, despite Jammeh’s departure into exile.
