Farmajo calls for public support in fight against Coronavirus pandemic in Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Members of the public should adhere to certain safety measures in the fight against Coronavirus spread, President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo has said, hours after Somalia recorded the first positive case.

So scary has been the rate of infections around the globe that the World Health Organization [WHO] declared the virus a pandemic, in a statement issued last week.

Dr. Fawziya Abikar, Somalia's health minister, announced the first positive infection in Somalia on Monday. To curb the spread across the country, she asked members of the public to observe basic hygiene.

And on his Twitter account, Farmajo hailed medical practitioners around the world for their determination to crack the puzzle, with regard to appropriate immunization for the virus.

"We commend all medical practitioners across the globe working hard to counter the CoronavirusPandemic," said Farmajo, who is serving the first term as the president of the federal republic of Somalia.

Scientists are yet to mobilize for immunization drugs to avert further spread. They have since named the virus; COVID-19.

The public, he said, should strictly adhere to safety procedures recommended by health officials, which are anchored on basic hygiene observation.

"I urge everyone to support all efforts and recommended medical measures to slow the spread of COVID19 and keep the numbers low," added Farmajo, in a message which was reiterated by Villa Somalia.

Already, aviation minister Mohamed Abdullahi Omar has banned flights to Somalia effective Wednesday, a sanction which is expected to last for the next 15 days.

Such measures, he said, would allow the country to minimize the threat, which had severely invaded far East and Europe, with significant cases also being recorded in Africa.

Some of the recommended regulations include self-quarantine, wearing protective masks, avoiding contact with people, seeking medical attention whenever symptoms show up, among others.

By Tuesday [today], the total number of infections had reached 182,000. Of the figure, 70,000 have recovered while some 5,000 have already died, Reuters reported.

China, the epicenter of the pandemic, has the highest number of infections and deaths. Italy is the second most affected nation followed by Iran, with volunteers working hard to curb the escalating situation.

The pandemic has grounded most economic activities across the world, a move that economists warn that could trigger the worst global recession in decades.

Tourism, sport, and transport are the worst-hit sectors. International Monetary Fund [IMF] and the World Bank are some of the international lenders who have pledged financial aid to affected countries.

For East Africa, the pandemic is the second tragedy in quick succession, following the ongoing locust invasion. Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia, and South Sudan are the worst hit.

The victim of the virus in Somalia was one of four people who had been isolated for further checkups. The four had recently traveled from China, officials said.

GAROWE ONLINE