Health ministry dismisses fake COVID-19 results

May 18, 2020

According to the ministry, only 21 new COVID-19 positive cases have been confirmed from the 1,071 samples that were tested from various points of entry on Sunday

HEALTH  VIRUS

The Ministry of Health has dismissed reports going around that 105 COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in Uganda. This follows reports last night circulating on social media that 105 cases have been recorded.

The health ministry says the fake results were being communicated by malicious persons via a fake health ministry social media page.

According to the ministry, only 21 new COVID-19 positive cases have been confirmed from the 1,071 samples that were tested from various points of entry on Sunday, May 17. This brings the total number of COVID-19 confirmed cases to 248.

"The ministry would like to inform the general public that COVID-19 results were not released yesterday, May 17, 2020," the release read.

In a press release, the ministry revealed that all the 21 confirmed cases are Ugandan nationals.  Of these, 17 entered into the country from Elegu, three from Mutukula and one from Malaba.

"All the 253 community samples tested negative for COVID-19. The total number of tests done on Sunday were 1,324," the press release read.

The ministry explained that the results were delayed because they had to be sorted appropriately following the Presidential directive of allowing only truck drivers who test negative for COVID-19 into the country.

"Samples from truck drivers had to be sorted appropriately and divided between Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) and the National Health Laboratory Services (NHLS) by laboratory teams for quick turnaround time. Testing at NHLS started at 7:30pm on Sunday evening hence the delay in reporting the results, " the ministry clarified. 

TRUCK DRIVERS

The ministry has directed all truck drivers to undergo COVID-19 testing and receive results before proceeding to immigration at the borders.

"Foreign truck drivers who test positive for COVID-19 are advised to return to their place of origin for treatment while Ugandan truck drivers will be admitted at the various hospitals for treatment," the statement read.

According to the ministry, currently, there are 57 admitted COVID-199 confirmed cases and are all in stable condition. So far, Uganda has registered a total of 63 COVID recoveries.

 

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});