By Spy Uganda
Cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Uganda rose to 227 on Saturday after the Ministry of Health registered 24 new infections among truck drivers.
The Ministry tweeted on Saturday thus; “As of Today, 16 May, 2020, 24 new COVID-19 cases confirmed from 2,044 samples of truck drivers.
This brings the total number of COVID-19 cases to 227 in Uganda.
The new cases breakdown:
Elegu: 3 Ugandans, 2 Kenyans
Mutukula: 6 Tanzanians, 1 Ugandan
Malaba: 12 Kenyans”
Officials from the Ministry also revealed that “All 554 community samples have tested negative for COVID-19. Total samples tested today: 2,044. Out of these, 115 samples were tested at Mutukula while 1,375 tested at UVRI
Total COVID-19 recoveries: 63”
We have since established that Ministry of Health officials also held a meeting with representatives of truck drivers from around the East African region, to mitigate the risks of truck drivers spreading COVID-19 in Uganda.
The Ministry tweeted thus; “Following the Presidential Directive that Only truck drivers with negative test results will be allowed into the country, @MinofHealthUG met with representatives of the Truck Owners and National Logistics Platform and resolved the following:
– Mobilize, counsel and test all truck drivers employed in Uganda
-Adopted and will implement “Truck Driver Journey Management System” Mobile application for all truck drivers to be monitored as they proceed with the journey.
The above actions started with effect from today (Saturday).”
However, despite the increase in the number of infections, the Ministry of Health calls upon all Ugandans to observe Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) when in public places, wear face masks all the time, wash hands with soap and sanitizer frequently and maintaining social distance when amongst people, plus staying home to stay safe.
The Ministry also urges all Ugandans to report any suspected cases of COVID-19 to relevant authorities and to avoid contact with truck drivers at all borders and other entry points in the country.
It should be noted that through efforts of the COVID-19 National Task Force headed by Prime Minister Dr Ruhankana Rugunda, Uganda has managed to contain the spread of COVID-19 and ever since the outbreak was confirmed in March this year not death has been recorded so far.
