Somalia send doctors to Italy to fight coronavirus

Somalia has sent medical staff to Italy to help in the response to coronavirus.

According to officials from the Ministry of Information 20 doctors from Somali National University will depart the country soon to join the global response to COVID-19 in Italy.

“Twenty volunteer doctors from National University in Mogadishu are registered at Italy’s Embassy and will go to Italy to help the country’s fight against coronavirus,” spokesman Mukhtar Ismail said.

Mukhtar added that they are being sent in response to a call by Italy’s government for help, and they are now ready and waiting for their charter flight to Italy.

The move comes as Somalia confirmed the third person with the virus.
According to the ministry of health, a UN commercial contractor tested positive for coronavirus on Friday.

Italy, meanwhile, announced 919 new deaths from the coronavirus, the highest number of fatalities any country has reported in the space of 24 hours since the outbreak began late last year.

The total number of people who have died as a result of COVID-19 in Italy now stands at 9,134. The number of cases also continues to rise, hitting more than 86,000.

Further dashing hopes that Europe is containing the pandemic, Spain recorded 769 new deaths in a day, bringing the total number to 4,858. As of early Saturday, the death toll has surpassed 5,000.

Meanwhile, Russia’s military servicemen, along with Italian colleagues carry out reconnaissance in four health facilities for the elderly used to treat coronavirus infections in Bergamo.

Since the coronavirus took hold in Europe, Moscow has sent planes of virus experts and aid to Italy while fighting accusations of spreading disinformation, flexing its “soft power” in various ways during the pandemic.

The Russian defense ministry released multiple daily statements after the first planes took off for Italy on Sunday, carrying 100 virus specialists with medical equipment, mobile laboratories, and disinfection units.