By Frank Kamuntu
Kampala: Ministry of health has confirmed that Uganda has registered three (3) new COVID-19 deaths and 94 new cases bringing the total cases to 1750 with 19 deaths, and 1194 recoveries.
“The Ministry of Health would like to inform the general public that results from COVID-19 tests carried out on 19th August, 2020 confirmed 94 new COVID-19 cases” Ministry of Health statement reads.
The statement adds that, the fatalities are residents of Kampala that included two males aged 45 and 31 years old and a 57-year-old female who passed on while in admission at different private hospitals in Kampala.
According to the Ministry, the fatalities presented with signs and symptoms of COVID-19.
Among the 94 new COVID-19 cases include, fifty three (53) alerts, fifty one (51) from Kampala, two (2) from Buvuma and Wakiso districts.
Thirty three (33) are contacts to previously confirmed cases that included twenty one (21) from Kampala, six (6) from Nakaseke, three (3) from Wakiso, two (2) from Adjumani and one (1) from Koboko districts.
Seven (7) are truck drivers who arrived via various points of entry that included, three (3) via Busia, two (2) via Lia and two (2) via Goli and Elegu.
In the same vein, one (1) returnee from Kenya tested positive for COVID-19.
Meanwhile, the fourteen (14) foreign truck drivers that included 9 Kenyans, 3 Congolese and 2 Rwandese tested positive for COVID-19 at the border points of entry and their entry into the country was not permitted.
In light of the spike in new cases in Kampala Metropolitan Area, this is evident that the rate of community transmission is high and therefore, MoH strongly advises public to take personal responsibility to avoid contracting COVID-19. “The earlier we change our attitude and behavior towards COVID-19, the better for our health and nation” Ministry advised.
“We appeal to the population including users of public transport to wear a face mask at all times, and wear it properly- ensure that the nose, mouth and chin are fully covered, practice good hand hygiene and maintain a social distance whenever in public” Ministry’s statement read.
