Yemen government denies it failed to report virus cases

Yemen health minister said the government had been transparent about the number of confirmed cases and those who have recovered.

The Minister of Health for Yemen’s Houthi Rebels on Saturday denied that authorities have failed to report the actual number of coronavirus cases.

Dr. Taha al Mutwakil said the government had been transparent about the number of confirmed cases and those who have recovered. He claimed that the recovery rate for coronavirus patients is “high” at 80 percent. The rebels have officially reported just four cases, including one fatality, raising questions about reports of an unaccounted-for surge in deaths there.

The World Health Organization has warned the Houthis that full transparency is needed to fight the virus’ spread.

The Health Ministry buried the admission in a muted statement, saying only that authorities are working to trace and isolate infected cases that have been recorded in the capital, Sanaa, and several provinces across the war-torn country. The statement accused the World Health Organization of sending “inaccurate” and deficient tests.