As millions in Senegal prepare for Eidul Azha, health officials warn that Covid-19 cases are dramatically surging in the West African nation. In just weeks, new confirmed cases have risen from dozens a day to a record of 738 on Friday and then nearly doubled overnight to 1,366 on Saturday, according to the Ministry of Health.

Nearly 36 per cent of 3,815 tests carried out in the past 24 hours came back positive, the health ministry said Saturday. Senegal has reported 50,374 cases and 1,214 deaths since the start of the pandemic.

Eidul Azha, which will be celebrated on July 21 in Senegal, sees thousands of people come together in large family gatherings. Many health officials are worried because in the run up to the holiday, people throng marketplaces and gather to buy sacrificial animals.

Islamic Relief France, a non-governmental organisation, has been working in Senegal since 2008 and has distributed food and sheep during Ramazan and Tabaski. This year they had to increase their donations because of the rise in vulnerable people because of the pandemic.

“It’s important for them to celebrate Tabaski (Eidul Azha). It’s the most important celebration in a country where more than 80 per cent of the population are Muslims,” she added.

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