Ministry of Health confirms three new COVID-19 cases, Uganda now has a total of 33 cases
The Ministry of Health has confirmed three new cases of the deadly coronavirus (COVID-19) to pushing Uganda to a total number of patients to 33, more than double within a space of two days.
Out of 206 samples tested on Sunday, 203 tested negative, while three posted positive of the new deadly coronavirus (COVID-19) in Uganda.
All these have been in institutional quarantine.
“Three new cases of COVID-19 confirmed today, Sunday 29 March 2020. A total number of confirmed cases stands at 33 in Uganda. Out of 206 samples run today, 203 samples tested negative for COVID-19,” a statement from the health ministry read.
“Two of these are wife and daughter of the man from Masaka who was among the first nine confirmed cases. On his return from Dubai, he went home to his family. After the first confirmed case, his community advised him to go for check up where he tested positive. Therefore, his wife and daughter were his closest contacts and had been quarantined in Entebbe,” President Museveni also confirmed the cases on his twitter handle.
Before adding that the third person is a 15-year-old teenager who returned from school in the UK on March 21, 2020. He was under institutional quarantine where he developed symptoms and tested positive.
Every single day now COVID -19 cases in Uganda just keep rising and there is no confirmation to whether we have some that have healed from the deadly virus.
The virus first discovered in Wuhan has now spread globally, affecting 199 countries and territories around the world, while over 30,000 have died of the disease worldwide.
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.
WHO Precautionary Measures
According to the WHO, you should wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with an alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water because this can help kill viruses that may be on your hands.
Maintain social distancing of at least one metre (3 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
When someone coughs or sneezes they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which may contain a virus. If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets, including the COVID-19 virus if the person coughing has the disease.
Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth because your hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth. From there, the virus can enter your body and can make you sick.
Always practice respiratory hygiene that is, make sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately.
This is so because droplets spread the virus and by following good respiratory hygiene you protect the people around you from viruses such as cold, flu and COVID-19.
In case you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early. If possible stay home if you feel unwell, even with mild symptoms such as headache and slight runny nose, until you recover.
