There are no more active COVID-19 cases in health facilities across the country after all patients who had been admitted were discharged.

According to data from the ministry of health, for over a month now, there has not been any COVID-19 death registered despite having three new cases.

“Results of COVID-19 tests done on April 9, 2022, confirm 3 new cases. The cumulative confirmed cases are 163,996. The breakdown of the new cases is: 2 Alerts and Contacts: Kampala (1), Adjumani (1) and 1 truck driver from Amuru,” results from the health ministry said.

Unlike during the second wave in June–July 2021, the number of cases admitted and new cases has been dropping since January this year. The admissions rose to as high as 500 cases during the second wave between June and July last year.

Scientists have attributed the low number of admissions to the increased uptake of vaccines and the mild nature of the new variant (Omicron) compared to the Delta variant.

As of today, 19 million vaccine doses have been administered countrywide, according to the latest ministry of health data, and this has pushed the positivity rate to 0.1%.

During his end of year speech on December 31, 2021, President Yoweri Museveni announced the full re-opening of the country, but he urged Ugandans to go for vaccination, and those aged 50 years and above to go for a third booster dose. Museveni received his booster dose on January 4.

Uganda has since received over 30 million vaccine doses of various types. All the COVID-19 vaccines are double doses apart from Johnson & Johnson, which is a single-dose vaccine.

The ultimate solution to overcoming the pandemic is vaccination, and the government is targeting to vaccinate at least 22 million people above 18 years.

Earlier, the President directed Resident District Commissioners, Chief Administrative Officers and District Health Officers to mobilise the masses for vaccination.

Uganda has mainly received vaccine donations of Sinovac from the People’s Republic of China, AstraZeneca vaccine doses from Norway, Ireland, Belgium, and France as well as Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer doses from the US among other countries.