DAKAR, May 23 (Xinhua) -- Senegalese Ministry of Health and Social Action on Saturday reported 67 new confirmed cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of cases to 2,976 in the country.

These 67 new infections came from 934 tests done in the past 24 hours, the ministry's spokesperson Alyose Waly Diouf said, adding that they included 49 follow-up contact cases, 16 community transmission ones and unusually, two imported ones.

Diouf said 14 of the 16 community transmission cases were detected in capital city of Dakar, epicenter of the pandemic in Senegal.

He announced that 105 more patients were cured, which brought the total to 1,416. However, 12 patients are now in intensive care units.

The ministry also confirmed the death toll rose to 34 in the country.

Senegal is breaking the fast this Saturday after a month long Ramadan. The government and some spiritual leaders have invited the population to unite with their families through phones and internet in order to avoid traveling between regions, amid the serious situation of community transmission.

Since the outbreak of the pandemic on March 2, Senegal has reported a total of 2,976 confirmed cases, including 2,616 follow-up contact cases, 88 are imported ones and 272 are community transmission ones.

Senegal, isolating itself from March 20, is in state of emergency until June 2, with a curfew imposed from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. It is also mandatory, like in many other countries in West Africa, to wear masks at all public places.

West Africa remains the region of sub-Saharan Africa most affected by COVID-19, with more than 28,000 cases reported since Feb. 27, when Nigeria reported its first confirmed case. Almost 11,000 patients have been cured in the region.