Uganda coronavirus cases rise to by 14 to 679

The number of COVID-19 confirmed cases in the country has risen to 679 after 14 people tested positive for the disease. The 14 were among 2,321 samples that were tested on Wednesday.

Eight of the cases were from the community; three were from Kampala, four from Amuru and Dokolo, one was from Moyo, while six were from Ugandan truck drivers and were picked at points of entry. 

Additionally, 30 foreign truck drivers were sent back to their countries of origin after they tested positive at the border points. The rise in community cases and poor adherence to measures that include wearing of masks has raised concerns among health authorities.

While flagging off the distribution of masks on Wednesday, Dr Jane Ruth Aceng, the minister of Health said that they are considering reinstating the lockdown.

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“The lockdown does not stop the spread of COVID-19 but rather allows the country to put in place systems to handle any eventualities. People are not adhering to the measures and this means the entire country might get cases and we move to Stage 4 of the outbreak,” she said.

According to the ministry, the big numbers of people moving from Kampala to go to villages or from villages to Kampala pose a threat of spreading the disease easily through the transport sector. This in addition to overcrowding at the taxi, bus parks and downtown Kampala is a cause of worry for health workers.

750,000 two-layered masks will be distributed in the districts of Amuru, Busia, Kyotera, Rakai, Adjumani and Tororo.  To date, 120 people have been discharged from different treatment centres in the country.