Somalia's outgoing gov't suspends public gatherings over surge of COVID-19 infections

MUQDISHU, Somalia | Somalia's outgoing government on Wednesday suspended public gatherings across the country, following the surge of COVID-19 pandemic, which has continued to wreak havoc in the Horn of Africa nation for the last two weeks, after the initial wave seemed to have subsidized.

Hassan Hundubey, who is the outgoing security minister, told reporters in Mogadishu that public gatherings will remain suspended for the next couple of days, until normalcy is restored in the country. However, he didn't give specific timelines for the resumption of the gatherings.

On Wednesday, the country recorded 15 COVID-19 related deaths at the main isolation center of Martini Hospital in Mogadishu, taking the total number of known deaths since last year to 169. This is however, the lowest fatality rate across East Africa region.

The total number of infections so far haha hit over 5,400 with recoveries standing at 3,800, Dr. Fawziya Abikar, the Health Minister told reporters. She blamed the surge of infections to total disregard of the Ministry of Health guidelines.

Some of the measures that had been put in place include suspension of public gatherings, social distancing and washing hands. The country had temporarily stopped domestic and international flights before they resumed in August 2020. 

Banadir region, which hosts the capital Mogadishu, is the worst hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. The region of closely followed by Somaliland and Puntland, but Hirshabelle, Southwest, Jubaland and Galmadug have recorded the fewest number of cases. 

There is a major concern that the dilapidated health infrastructure in Somalia could give a wrong impression on the number of infections but the Ministry of Health maintains that the levels of testing have significantly improved. Somalia's health infrastructure is almost dysfunctional. 

Curiously, the suspension of public gatherings comes amid plans by the opposition to hold protests against the government in Mogadishu over the unprecedented delay of elections. The outgoing government had warned against the demonstrations.

GAROWE ONLINE