The Senegalese health authorities are urging caution as they strengthen the surveillance system in country.
This follows several dozen pilgrims returning from Mecca testing positive for Covid-19 upon arrival at Dakar airport.
Dr. El Hadji Mamadou Ndiaye, the Director of Prevention at the Ministry of Health, stated that this increase in positive cases is not surprising.
This year has seen several deaths linked to respiratory issues.
Vaccination against Covid-19 is not required for travel to Mecca, and although the virus remains present, residents are simply getting tested less frequently.
For a long time, Covid-19 has been viewed as a minor flu and kept under surveillance.
However, precautionary measures have been reinforced: all passengers returning from Jeddah must wear masks.
Upon arrival, testing is done on a voluntary basis or for suspected cases. For complicated cases, a health system is in place to manage them.
This year, 12,900 Senegalese participated in the pilgrimage to Mecca.