HEALTH | COVID-19 | DEATH 

KAMPALA - The Ministry of Health has urged Ugandans to start observing the COVID-19 preventive measures, warning that the Intensive Care Units are getting full.  

“New COVID-19 cases have increased with a number of people dying. Our ICUs are getting to full capacity. It is time to adhere to the SOPs and be safe. Doesn’t be part of the COVID-19 statistics,” it warned.  

According to the Ministry of Health's latest COVID statistics, the number of daily new cases recorded has exponentially increased as the country begins to experience the second wave.  

The results of tests done on May 22, indicated 185 new cases and one death, bringing the cumulative confirmed cases to 43,919 and deaths to 357. The test positivity rate has also increased to 6.2%.  

Earlier, Xinhua reported that Ruth Aceng, the health minister, told reporters that the situation is worrying and the public needs to take great precautions. 

She said the isolation facilities and intensive care units, especially at the Mulago National Referral Hospital in Kampala are currently full, following the daily increase of the COVID-19 cases. 

"I want to appeal to Ugandans to take COVID-19 very seriously and take this resurgence as more dangerous than the first," said Aceng. 

"If people are not careful, we may end up losing very many people than we did before. Apparently, Ugandans seem to have forgotten that we have COVID-19 and people are back to their normal lives," Xinhua quoted Aceng. 

She warned that citizens no longer want to adhere to the standard operating procedures to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus in the country. 

"People don't want to wear masks, sanitize and social distance. The situation is not good. If you are eligible for a bed right now (admission), you may have to go on a waiting list," said Aceng. 

Uganda on Friday started the second phase of COVID-19 vaccination, with just 488,986 people having received the jabs of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine in the East African country. 

"My appeal to you is to take this issue (resurgence) very seriously and protect yourselves. If you are eligible for vaccines, get vaccinated. The vaccine is safe and effective," said Aceng. 

Uganda received its first 964,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine from the World Health Organization (WHO)'s COVAX initiative and the Indian government in March. 

The Ugandan government has prioritized access to vaccines for more than 21.9 million people at higher risk, including those working in the medical field, teachers, social workers, security personnel, the elderly and those with underlying medical conditions.