Over 500 now contract COVID-19 in Somalia as 28 die

The number of COVID-19 cases in Somalia Tuesday crossed the 500 mark with deaths climbing to 28 as Somalia is fast becoming the epicentre of the deadly disease in the region.

The Ministry of Health announced Tuesday an increase of 48 more cases bringing to 528 the total national tally. Two more people succumbed to the disease in the last 24 hours, the government said.

Notable in today’s data is the spread of the disease into new locations outside the capital Mogadishu, Puntland and Jubbaland. Four cases were reported in South-West, one of Somalia’s fragile zones adversely affected by internal displacements as a result of conflict and climatic conditions.

MOST AFFECTED REGIONS

Banaadir region which encompasses the capital Mogadishu remains most affected with 41 of the reported cases today recorded here. Three cases were recorded in Jubbaland, the Ministry of Health said.

Out of the 48 cases, 17 are female. Five more people have recovered bringing to 19 the total number of people who have been declared free from the disease after contracting it earlier.

The number of COVID-19 cases in Somalia has risen sharply with over 500 cases recorded this month alone. Somalia has recorded the highest number of COVID-19 deaths in the region and has the second-highest number of people who have contracted the disease.

It remains unclear how many people have since been tested for the disease as the government has since August 17 not made public such information.