Uganda COVID-19 Cases now at 203
Uganda’s tally of COVID-19 positive cases jumped to 203 after 43 people tested positive for the virus; the highest number in a single day.
Among the new cases are 15 Ugandans, nine Kenyans and four Eritreans who entered the country through the Elegu border point from South Sudan.
The other cases include five Tanzanians and one Burundian who entered through Mutukula from Tanzania while five Kenyans, two Ugandans, one Burundian and another person whose nationality is unknown entered through Malaba from Kenya.
The new cases were part of 1,838 samples that were tested on Friday at the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) and at the Mutukula point of entry laboratory.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health has commissioned the first port health laboratory in the country which will use Genexpert technology with the ability to run 64 tests per hour.
While commissioning the facility, Health Minister, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng said the new laboratory will help stop positive truck drivers from being a threat to communities.
“All truck drivers will have to be tested and wait for their results. If you are found positive, you cannot proceed with your journey. If you are negative, you are released,” she said.
Atek Kagirita, the COVID-19 incident commander at the Ministry of Health said that the country’s main focus now in fighting COVID-19 was controlling truck drivers.
“Our cases are rising but it’s mostly due to truck drivers. We want to solve this and are planning on making testing faster at points of entry,” he said.
