This archive report was first published on 8 May 2020.
On May 7, 2020, Somalia's confirmed Covid-19 cases were rapidly approaching 1,000 after 55 more people contracted the virus.
According to a press briefing by Somalia's Minister of Health, Dr. Fawzia Abukar Nur, the country had a total of 928 cases.
Minister Nur attributed the high number of cases to laboratory analysis.
She further stated that 41 of the cases were recorded in Mogadishu, 13 in Puntland, and 1 in Hirshabelle.
These regions are part of the five semi-autonomous authorities that are members of the federal government of Somalia.
On the same day, 5 people had died while 19 others fully recovered from the infection.
Official records show that each of the federal regions was battling Covid-19.
Notably, Somalia had only 26 cases 17 days prior, indicating that testing was helping to uncover patients, but also suggesting that the spread of the virus may be more extensive than initially thought.
Unfortunately, the real scenario is assumed to be worse due to the disregard of health guidelines and advice given by the government and medical officials.
As documented by The EastAfrican, there has been very little social distancing and use of face masks.
Handwashing is also hampered by a general shortage of clean water.
Despite the government's urging to stay at home and pray at home, hordes of people continue to flock to mosques, praying closely lined up together.
Furthermore, in most mosques, Taraweeh prayers during the Holy month of Ramadhan are regularly performed, despite being against social distancing.
Additionally, people have been seen breaking fasts in gatherings, a clearly forbidden practice this season.
Meanwhile, Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo commended the federal government for delivering equipment and material needed to deal with Covid-19 to the member states in the country.
President Farmaajo also thanked the friendly countries that offered Somalia much-needed help.
