By Spy Uganda
Kampala: The Ministry of Health has confirmed that Uganda has registered 43 new COVID-19 cases as result of samples tested on 17 August, 2020 raising total cases to 1,603 with 1,165 recoveries and 15 deaths.
Of the forty-three (43) confirmed cases, thirty-two (32) are alerts, five (5) are truck drivers, five (5) are contacts to previously confirmed cases and one (1) is a returnee from Kenya.
Regarding the thirty-two (32) alerts;- sixteen (16) are from Kampala, seven (7) from Namisindwa, five (5) from Arua, four (4) from Omoro, Gulu, Kasese and Buikwe Districts.
However, the five (5) contacts to previously confirmed cases include three (3) from Kampala and two (2) from Wakiso District.
While the five (5) truck drivers, four (4) arrived from Kenya via Malaba and one (1) arrived from South Sudan via Madi Opei border.
Meanwhile, eleven (11) foreign truck drivers that included 10 Kenyans and 1 Congolese tested positive for COVID-19 at the border points of entry and their entry into the country was not permitted.
The Ministry of Health with concern says has observed the rapidly increasing cases in Kampala ever since the lifting of the lockdown restrictions.
Ministry says, this is because the community is not following the standard operating procedures that include; hand washing, proper use of face masks and social distancing whenever in public places like workplaces, arcades and public transport.
In addition to this, the Ministry of Health noted that most of the fatal cases report to the health facilities very late and therefore appeals to the general population to report to their nearest health facility or through the Ministry of Health toll free lines 0800-100-066 or 919 as soon as they observe the following symptoms; flu-like symptoms (flu, sneezing, sore throat and coughing, fever, difficulty in breathing and chest pain).
