Uganda’s confirmed COVID19 have risen to 248 after 21 more truck drivers tested positive for the disease. The development comes just hours to the President’s national address in which he will either lift or extend the lockdown.
The president had previously extended the lockdown for 14 days which end tomorrow Tuesday. At 8pm today, the president is expected to address the nation about a way forward that is currently being discussed by cabinet.
According to a statement released by Dr Henry Mwebesa the Director General Health Services on Monday morning, the 21 cases were part of 1,071 samples tested on Sunday.
The positive cases are of 17 Ugandan nationals who entered via Elegu point of entry, 3 from Mutukula and 1 from Malaba entry point. Meanwhile, all 253 community samples tested negative.
According to Dr Mwebesa, the Ministry of Health is concerned about fake results that were being shared on various social media platforms stating that 105 truck drivers had tested positive for COVID19. “The ministry would like to inform the public that the results were not released yesterday, 17th May 2020” he said.
Meanwhile, following the new presidential directive to only allow truck drivers with negative COVID19 results into the country, samples of truck drivers had to be sorted and divided appropriately between the Uganda Virus research institute and the National Health Laboratory services by the lab teams for quick turnaround time.
He adds that testing at NHLS started at 7:30PM on Sunday evening hence the delay in reporting results.
“Additionally, all truck drivers must undergo COVID19 testing and receive results before proceeding to immigration at the borders. Foreign drivers who test positive for COVID19 are advised to return to their place of origin for treatment while Ugandan truck drivers will be admitted at the various hospitals for treatment” the Director General says.
Currently, Uganda has 57 admitted COVID19 confirmed cases and all are in stable condition. So far, Uganda has recorded 63 recoveries.21 more Ugandan Truck Drivers test Positive for COVID19
Uganda’s confirmed COVID19 have risen to 248 after 21 more truck drivers tested positive for the disease. The development comes just hours to the President’s national address in which he will either lift or extend the lockdown.
The president had previously extended the lockdown for 14 days which end tomorrow Tuesday. At 8pm today, the president is expected to address the nation about a way forward that is currently being discussed by cabinet.
According to a statement released by Dr Henry Mwebesa the Director General Health Services on Monday morning, the 21 cases were part of 1,071 samples tested on Sunday.
The positive cases are of 17 Ugandan nationals who entered via Elegu point of entry, 3 from Mutukula and 1 from Malaba entry point. Meanwhile, all 253 community samples tested negative.
According to Dr Mwebesa, the Ministry of Health is concerned about fake results that were being shared on various social media platforms stating that 105 truck drivers had tested positive for COVID19. “The ministry would like to inform the public that the results were not released yesterday, 17th May 2020” he said.
Meanwhile, following the new presidential directive to only allow truck drivers with negative COVID19 results into the country, samples of truck drivers had to be sorted and divided appropriately between the Uganda Virus research institute and the National Health Laboratory services by the lab teams for quick turnaround time.
He adds that testing at NHLS started at 7:30PM on Sunday evening hence the delay in reporting results.
“Additionally, all truck drivers must undergo COVID19 testing and receive results before proceeding to immigration at the borders. Foreign drivers who test positive for COVID19 are advised to return to their place of origin for treatment while Ugandan truck drivers will be admitted at the various hospitals for treatment” the Director General says.
Currently, Uganda has 57 admitted COVID19 confirmed cases and all are in stable condition. So far, Uganda has recorded 63 recoveries.
