Uganda headed for phase 2 of lockdown as COVID-19 cases rise

The number of Coronavirus infections in Uganda have risen to 694, according to information from the Ministry of Health and the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI).

The Health Ministry revealed in a tweet that; “Results from samples tested on 12 June 2020 confirm 8 new Covid-19 cases. The total confirmed cases are now 694. Four truck drivers from Elegu while one is a truck driver from Mutukula Point of Entry. Three are among contacts and alerts; two from Kyotera and one from Arua.”

Health authorities also blocked entry of 18 foreign truck drivers who tested positive for COVID-19. Dr. Aceng says all the foreign truck drivers were repatriated back to their countries of origin.

To date, Uganda’s total coronavirus recoveries have increased to 199.

However, the results come a few hours before the scheduled address by the Health Minister Dr Jane Ruth Aceng, on Saturday afternoon, about the discrepancies observed in  updating the nation about COVID-19 infections in Uganda.

We have established that during her address, the Minister will update Ugandans on the COVID-19 response and also clarify on reports of fake infection results allegedly issued by Makerere University laboratory last week.

Health minister also warned of tighter lockdown measures if the public continues to defy guidelines on social distancing and wearing of masks guidelines.

She says that currently the country is entering stage three of the pandemic which is characterised by clusters of community infections.

“People are no longer following preventative measures. That means we may move into stage four. In such a situation to avoid mass deaths, it may be necessary to consider another lockdown,” Dr Aceng said told reporters adding that it was necessary at stage three to stop the spread of the disease beyond the infected clusters such as towns and slums as the government response team implements extensive containment measures.

“At stage one, there are no cases and the aim is to prevent entry into the territory. The response is port entry controls, restricted travel from high-risk areas. Stage two is sporadic cases and the aim is to prevent local transmission to contacts. The response is containment measures put in place, identification and quarantine of suspects and cases,” Dr Aceng said.