Ministry of Health stresses directive to Ugandans of staying home as COVID-19 cases jump to 23
The Ministry of Health has called on Ugandans to be very vigilant and comply with all directives in place to help mitigate the spread of the deadly coronavirus disease COVID-19 in the country.
According to Dr Diana Atwine, the ministry permanent secretary, Ugandans should put into proper perspective applying all guidelines from washing hands with soap all the time and social distancing to staying in their homesteads in a bid to minimize on the spread of the virus.
“We urge you all to follow our guidelines to minimize the spread of COVID-19,” Atwine said in a statement while confirming more COVID -19 cases.
Atwine’s request comes at a time when the country is faced with a burden of dealing with increasing COVID -19 victims. On Friday 27th, a total of nine cases were announced at two different intervals.
In the morning hours of Friday, four cases were reported before the ministry later announce other new five cases bringing the total number so far registered in Uganda to 23.
“Out of 227 samples run today at the Uganda Virus Research Institute, 222 samples tested negative for COVID-19 and five tested positive,” a statement from the ministry read confirming the last bunch of cases on Friday night.
The virus first discovered in Wuhan, China has now spread globally, with more than 576,000 people who have so far contracted the virus and 26,000 deaths in 176 countries and regions as of March, 27th.
According to experts, coronavirus spreads between people in a way similar to influenza, via respiratory droplets from coughing.
The time between exposure and symptom onset is typically five days but may range from two to fourteen days.
The virus can cause pneumonia. Those who have fallen ill are reported to suffer coughs, fever and breathing difficulties. In severe cases, there can be organ failure. As this is viral pneumonia, antibiotics are of no use.
The antiviral drugs we have against flu will not work. Recovery depends on the strength of the immune system.
Many of those who have died were already in poor health.
The virus can be easily transmitted from one person to another like flue it is contagious, however, the only difference is that it is worse than the normal flue because it is thought to cause about 400,000 deaths each year globally.
Coronavirus abbreviated as COVID -19 has no cure vaccine meaning it is more difficult for vulnerable members of the population – elderly people or those with existing respiratory or immune problems – to protect themselves.
Many measures including hand-washing with soap and avoiding crowded places and self-isolation if you feel an unusual cough have been put forth by the World Health Organization to help in the curbing on its spread.
