COVID-19: Uganda now on 100 cases after more truck drivers test positive out of a total of 3,509 samples tested
The Ministry of Health (MOH) has confirmed two new COVID-19 cases bringing the total number of coronavirus cases in Uganda to 100.
The new cases were confirmed out of a total of 3,509 samples tested on Wednesday at the Uganda Virus Research Institute.
According to the health ministry, the two cases involving a Kenyan and Eritrean are of truck drivers who arrived from Kenya via Malaba border.
They were specifically confirmed from a total of 3,071 samples of truck drivers. All 438 community samples tested negative for the COVID-19 yesterday.
“Two new COVID-19 cases confirmed from 3,071 samples of truck drivers. The 2 new cases arrived from Kenya via Malaba; and are Eritrean and Kenyan nationalities,” a statement from MOH read.
The new figures now indicate that Uganda has since registered 100 COVID-19 cases with 55 recoveries and no single death.
Up to date, the health ministry has carried out close to 40, 000 tests countrywide and 861 individuals have been discharged from institutional quarantine.
18,128 travellers have since been identified together with a total of 2,248 contacts of which 808 are still under follow up while 141 are under self-quarantine and a total of 2080 have finished their 14 days of follow up.
Meanwhile, the deadly coronavirus first discovered in Wuhan, China continues to spread globally, with now 3,804,966 cases confirmed worldwide.
A total of 1,287,590 people have recovered from the virus while 263,349 people worldwide have succumbed to it as of 6th May according to statistics from the John Hopkins University.
The United States is now the most hit country worldwide with more than 1.2 million cases and over 72,000 COVID-19 related deaths have been recorded since.
In Africa, there are now over 42,500 confirmed cases of coronavirus across the whole continent, with many countries already imposing drastic measures to mitigate the spread of the pandemic.
As of Tuesday, the pandemic had spread to almost all countries in Africa with Lesotho the only country still holding out according to the John Hopkins University.
How does the virus spread?
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 however, it might range from two to fourteen days.
According to experts, the virus can cause pneumonia and 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 but recovery only depends on the strength of one’s immune system.
Coronavirus 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.
Several measures including hand-washing with soap and avoiding crowded places and self-isolation if you feel an unusual cough have been raised by the World Health Organization to help in mitigating it’s spread.
