#COVID19So: Somaliland confirms two COVID-19 cases

A Chinese national and a Somalilander have tested positive for COVID-19 in Somaliland bringing to five the number of confirmed cases of the deadly pandemic in Somalia.

According to Health Minister Omar Ali Abdullahi, the Chinese national was located in Berbera while the Somali is based in Burco.

Somalia has since recorded three cases of COVID-19 in Mogadishu and today’s confirmation from Hargeisa raises to five the number of cases so far registered in Somalia.

Abdullahi told journalists the second patient recently travelled from the UK which has been adversely affected by the global pandemic. He did not indicate when the Chinese national arrived in the country.

Somalia imposed an international flight ban mid this month and renewed this week indefinitely but Ethiopian Airlines still flies to Somaliland risking import of COVID-19 cases.

According to the Health Minister, the samples were taken to Kenya for confirmation and returned positive results. Abdullahi said efforts were underway to track contacts of the two cases.