Sudan announced 56 COVID-19 deaths in its first report after it entered the second virus wave, raising death toll in the country to 1,175 coronavirus since the epidemic began, according to the World Health Organization.
It also reported 15,047 coronavirus cases and 9,600 recoveries.
However, several press reports cast doubt over the official announced figures and said the actual number of infections is higher.
Also, the Ministry of Finance announced that acting Finance Minister Heba Mohamed has been infected and be quarantined at home.
Last week, Sudanese Minister of Health Osama Abdelrahim contracted COVID-19 along with two directors in his ministry.
Moreover, two of the Sudanese prime minister's close associates and the president of the central bank tested positive for the virus.
Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok's senior advisor, Al-Sheikh Khedr, and his office manager, Ali Bakheet, have tested positive as well. Notably, the latter has recovered.
Sudan’s National Umma Party announced that its leader Sadiq al-Mahdi tested positive for the virus and is receiving treatment along with 21 of his family members and party leaders.
The Sudanese Ministry of Health warned of the sharp rise in infections during the second wave of the pandemic. It stressed the importance of wearing face masks and abiding by social distancing, in addition to sterilizing and washing hands.
