Mayor Omar Filish of Mogadishu has sensationally claimed that Somalia’s capital city has more than 500 COVID-19 deaths.
His comments come at a time of increased fears that the virulent disease has been ravaging Somalia families.
Moreover, the Mayor’s claims put the government in bad light since it has announced 30 COVID-19 deaths.
In the recent past, health workers have made similar claims and added their voice to those of gravediggers and families of COVID-19 patients who have also spoken of higher numbers.
Mayor Filish made similar claims a few weeks ago when he stated that Somalia had suffered a higher death toll than what the government had announced.
Filish said, “We have recorded around 500 COVID-19 deaths in the Banaadir region alone since April 19.”
As of yesterday, the government’s numbers showed 601 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the entire country with less than 40 deaths.
However, Filish says health officials have been recording 17-49 COVID-19 deaths every day since April 19.
Medical workers have issuing unconfirmed reports showing that the deaths are more in homes, especially among the elderly.