The Uganda Ministry of Health has tightened up in the fight against the Importation of Novel Coronavirus COVID – 19 into the Country as the virus continues to spread and claim many lives globally.
Its should be remembered that, the People’s Republic Of China alerted the World Health Organisation (WHO) about an outbreak of a Pneumonia causing illness which was later identified to be Novel Coronavirus COVID -19 which is spreading at fast speed across other parts of the World.
The Ministry of Health – Uganda in a press statement released on Friday by Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng revealed that, ‘’The virus is rapidly claiming many lives as so far 101,828 cases have been confirmed while 3,843 deaths have been recorded internationally. In Africa, eight countries have reported cases of COVID19, among these include; Egypt, Nigeria, Algeria, Senegal, Tunisia, South Africa, Cameroon and Togo while Uganda and other African countries stand vulnerable as the risk of importation stands high.’’
Currently, 92 Countries and 9 territories have so far been affected as World Health Organisation reports indicate that over 30 have local transmission of COVID19, including sustained community transmission.
Uganda‘s Efforts in the fight
Currently, the Ministry of Health confirms that there are no reported cases of COVID19 as of Friday March 7th 2020. The Ministry further indicates that; a total of 1, 296 travelers including Chinese, Ugandans and others traveling to Uganda have been recognized as high risk importers of the virus and identified for purposes of follow up. Out of these, 765 travelers are under self-quarantine, of which 456 have completed their mandatory 14 days of self-isolation. Samples from the 20 persons alleged to be carriers with signs and symptoms similar to that of COVID19 were all tested negative.
Measures to Curb the Virus
Uganda stands Vulnerable and at high risk of COVID-19 importation from affected Countries mainly brought about by Travel, trade and social linkages with affected Countries as Uganda maintains an open border policy. However, the Ministry of Health is undertaking measures such as; Screening of all Passengers entering through Entebbe International Airport and other border points including; Busia, Malaba, Cyanika and Egeru. Secondly, All travelers coming from the COVID-19 Countries are subjected to undergo mandatory self-quarantine for two weeks an equivalent of 14 days.
Strengthening Preventive Measures
The Government of Uganda has thoroughly reviewed history of the outbreak in other affected Countries outside China, categorized them and recommends several measures for the different categories. However, Three Criteria were used to rank the Countries, weighed based on their importance in assessing the risk of importation from affected Countries; the Number of total (Cumulative) cases, Number of cases in the last 24 hours and Exponential increase in the case in the last 7 days.
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