Seven people at Nakasongola Army Barracks have been placed under quarantine after a Uganda People’s Defense Force soldier tested positive for COVID-19, following his return to the Barracks from pass leave and was subjected to a COVID test, at Bombo Military Barrack.
According to Lieutenant Ibrahim Ssekito, the Nakasongola Army Barracks Spokesperson, the soldier had gone for a medical checkup, a routine undertaken before one is redeployed after concluding his leave. He had previously travelled to Kasese district.
Upon testing positive, the soldier was transferred to Mulago Hospital for treatment, and seven of his contacts are now quarantined at Nakasongola Army Barracks awaiting the results from their samples which were taken to Uganda Virus Research Institute.
Nakasongola Army Barracks has now directed that all soldiers who return from leave must undergo mandatory quarantine under close monitoring before they resume normal duties.
According to Ssekito, the barracks has also restricted civilian visits and introduced a thermometer gun at the gate to check whoever enters the facility among other Standard Operating Procedures aimed at controlling the spread of the virus among soldiers.
Recently, 69 people were quarantined at Magamaga Military barracks in Jinja district after coming into contact with a COVID-19 patient. The contacts comprise of civilians and UPDF soldiers who interacted with the patient who went to the barracks to nurse her husband that suffered a mental breakdown and was admitted in the barracks' health facility.
On Thursday, 7 new COVID19 cases were confirmed by the ministry of health, bringing the number to 686 and 161 recoveries.
