First COVID-19 death recorded in Somalia, two Health Ministry staff infected

The 58-year-old man who was confirmed as the first case of COVID-19 local transmission has died in Mogadishu becoming the first patient to succumb to the disease in Somalia as the country confirms four new cases.

Health Minister Dr. Fawziya Abikar confirmed Wednesday evening the patient passed on after being admitted in hospital.

Director of quality assurance in the Ministry of Health Dr. Abdirizak Ahmed Yusuf told Goobjoog News the patient died in Martini Hospital after he was transferred there from another hospital where he was critically ill.

The government announced Tuesday that one of the two cases recorded was that of a man who had no history of traveling outside the country raising fears several other people who came in contact with the patient may have been infected.

Two of the four cases are Ministry of Health staff, the Minister said noting some of the staff in the ministry have been subjected to quarantine.

So far, Somalia has recorded 12 cases including one death and one recovery.