Somalia becomes 2nd-highest rate of Covid-19 spread in horn of Africa

[Deeq A.]

The Somali health ministry on Sunday confirmed 57 new cases of the novel coronavirus, bringing the total number of infections to 1,054.

During a press briefing, Fawziya Abikar, the health minister, said the death toll has reached 51 after 3 died of the virus in the past two days and 118 people have so far fully recovered.

She said the majority of the cases were detected in Banadir that covers the capital, Mogadishu, while others were found in Puntland Hirshabelle and southwest Somalia.

The World Health Organization has warned that if the virus transmission is not slowed down rapidly, the patient surge and increasing demand for health care will overwhelm the country’s fragile health system.

The Horn of Africa nation has instituted measures to contain the possible spread of COVID-19 including closing schools, banning large gatherings, and suspending international and domestic passenger flights.

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