Somalia records highest jump of COVID-19 cases as 9 more test positive

Somalia has confirmed nine new cases of the deadly COVID-19 bringing to 21 the recorded cases in the country as Mogadishu administration mulls a lockdown.

The Ministry of Health announced Friday nine more cases had been identified adding six of the patients had contacts with COVID-19 infected patients. The nine cases are from 19 test samples which translates to about 50%.

Today’s cases add to 13 the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in two days in Somalia even as measures to limit public engagements still receive backlash from a section of the public. There was public protest Friday in the city’s Hamarweyne district as police tried to close a mosque there.

Friday prayers in mosques continued in other parts of the country. Today’s cases are the highest since Somalia confirmed its first case of COVID-19 last month.

Health Minister Fawziya Abikar said two more staffers at the Health Ministry had tested positive bringing to four the number of staff infected by the virus.

The first COVID-19 death was reported Wednesday amid fears of fast local transmission of the disease since the patient had been moved to at least three hospitals before his death.

Meanwhile major city roads in Mogadishu were Friday sealed off to limit public engagements. The busy Maka al Mukarama road remained closed Friday with reports the city could be headed for restricted movements.