The 34-year-old Tanzanian national who tested positive for COVID-19 has been relocated to Mulago hospital for treatment.
The driver was intercepted on Friday night at the Karuma bridge in Kiryandongo district. He tested positive at Mutukula, the Uganda-Tanzania cross border on Thursday, April 16. His sample was among the results of the 1,120 people tested at the Uganda Virus Research Institute on Friday.
An alert message by the National Task Force on COVID-19 and ministry of Health indicated that he was aboard a truck registration TZ 650B2K destined for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) via Vurra in Arua district.
This is the third case of a truck driver who has tested positive for coronavirus. The Kenyan driver entered through Malaba while the Tanzanian entered through Mutukula border points. Whereas Uganda closed its borders to all inbound and outbound travellers, cargo trucks with a maximum of 3 crew, are still allowed into the country. They must undergo mandatory COVID-19 testing.
On Thursday another truck driver, a 38-year-old resident of Tororo district who tested positive for coronavirus was intercepted at Kamdini trading centre in Oyam district in northern Uganda. The surveillance team that intercepted him made a decision to isolate him at Gulu regional referral hospital. However, the area leaders stormed the Gulu-Kampala highway to stop the ambulance from entering Gulu town with the patient.
An alert message by the National Task Force on COVID-19 and ministry of Health indicated that he was aboard a truck registration TZ 650B2K destined for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) via Vurra in Arua district.
This is the third case of a truck driver who has tested positive for coronavirus. The Kenyan driver entered through Malaba while the Tanzanian entered through Mutukula border points. Whereas Uganda closed its borders to all inbound and outbound travellers, cargo trucks with a maximum of 3 crew, are still allowed into the country. They must undergo mandatory COVID-19 testing.
On Thursday another truck driver, a 38-year-old resident of Tororo district who tested positive for coronavirus was intercepted at Kamdini trading centre in Oyam district in northern Uganda. The surveillance team that intercepted him made a decision to isolate him at Gulu regional referral hospital. However, the area leaders stormed the Gulu-Kampala highway to stop the ambulance from entering Gulu town with the patient.
According to ministry of Health, all the drivers presented no signs or symptoms of coronavirus of dry cough, fever or difficulty in breathing.
President Museveni said truck drivers don't have to wait for their coronavirus results and can proceed with their journeys, instead the drivers have been urged not to interact with the public.
While addressing the media on Saturday, the health minister Dr Jane Ruth Aceng urged Ugandans to keep away from truck drivers.
"I appeal to all of you who live along the roads followed by the truck drivers including the women who interact with them for different purposes, to stay away from these drivers. During this period of lockdown, please do not accept visitors into your homes, not even your neighbour. Ensure adequate physical distancing with people who don't live with you every day. Stay at home," said Aceng.
"I appeal to all of you who live along the roads followed by the truck drivers including the women who interact with them for different purposes, to stay away from these drivers. During this period of lockdown, please do not accept visitors into your homes, not even your neighbour. Ensure adequate physical distancing with people who don't live with you every day. Stay at home," said Aceng.
According to the ministry of Health, the Tanzanian national will be immediately returned home and his case doesn't add to the 55 current cumulative number of infections in Uganda. While the ministry was able to trace both the Ugandan and Tanzanian drivers, the Kenyan driver is yet to be found.
Aceng further warned people who use the trucks as a means of transport.
"Those who defiantly use these trucks as a means of transport during this lockdown period are warned to stop these unlawful activities," she said.
So far, 2,878 truck drivers and turn boys have been tested.
"Those who defiantly use these trucks as a means of transport during this lockdown period are warned to stop these unlawful activities," she said.
So far, 2,878 truck drivers and turn boys have been tested.