The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases have increased to 489 after 32 people tested positive for the coronavirus disease. The new cases were confirmed from the 2,116 samples tested on Monday.
According to results released by the Health ministry this morning, 19 of the new cases are truck drivers who entered the country through the Elegu, Malaba, Busia and Mutukula border points while 13 cases were picked from people who are believed to have had contact with positive truck drivers.
Dr Charles Olaro, the director of clinical services at the Health ministry says that the 13 were picked from different highway towns. Seven were picked from Kyotera and others from the areas of Tororo, Wakiso, Yumbe, Mpigi and Gomba districts. However, they were all under quarantine, long before they were tested. Additionally, 25 foreign drivers who tested positive were sent back to their countries of origin.
Yesterday President Yoweri Museveni during his 15th national COVID-19 address said that treatment facilities are going to be provided at points of entry so that drivers who test positive for the disease can be treated where they are tested from instead of transferring them to other medical facilities.
Doctors under the Uganda Medical Association (UMA) today during a press meeting welcomed the decision saying it would offer better management of the disease. Dr Ataro Ayella, the vice president of the Uganda Medical Association says since cases are being reported at points of entry, this would be the best approach to stopping community cases.
Currently, the confirmed cases are receiving treatment in 15 referral hospitals in the country. According to the health ministry, all patients are in stable condition and responding to treatment.