MOGADISHU, May 2 (Xinhua) -- Somali Health Ministry on Saturday confirmed 70 new cases of coronavirus, bringing the total number of infections to 671.
Fawziya Abikar, Health Minister of Somalia, said 67 cases were detected in Banadir, an administration area that covers the capital Mogadishu and three others were detected in the Somaliland region.
Abikar said three patients succumbed to the respiratory disease, bringing the total number of fatalities to 31.
She said 48 of the latest cases were male while 22 others were female patients amid fears COVID-19 cases have maintained an upward surge.
The minister said three people have since recovered from the pandemic, bringing the total number of recoveries to 34.
The majority of the cases, including the first fatality, have no travel history, signifying mass spread of community transmission of COVID-19 especially in Mogadishu. The World Health Organization (WHO) had warned that further transmission of the virus can be expected.
Meanwhile, the EU mission in Somalia confirmed on Saturday that three of its staff have tested positive for the deadly virus.
Nicolas Berlanga, the EU envoy in Somalia, said the three were tested after showing symptoms of the respiratory disease.
"The patients have been isolated under medical supervision and those with whom they had contact are also in quarantine," Berlanga said in a statement issued in Mogadishu.
The Horn of Africa nation has instituted measures to contain the possible spread of COVID-19, including closing schools, banning large gatherings and suspending international and domestic passenger flights. Enditem
