PM Rugunda goes into isolation after contacts test positive for COVID-19

CORONAVIRUS

KAMPALA - Uganda's Prime Minister, Dr Ruhakana Rugunda, announced that he would go into self-isolation after his contacts tested positive for COVID-19.

In a Friday tweet, Rugunda said: "Friends, I have gone into self-isolation after some of my contacts tested positive for COVID-19."

The Prime Minister added: "My own test result is negative, however, I have taken this decision as a health recommended measure."

His announcement comes on the same day the Ministry of Health started testing all Cabinet minister for the virus.

Emmanuel Ainebyoona, the ministry spokesperson, said the decision was taken due to the nature of work done by the ministers.

"They move a lot and get in contact with different people from all walks of life. We have to protect them while ensuring they are healthy," Ainebyoona said.

The tests would be repeated every after two weeks on the advice of the incident management team, according to Ainebyoona.

The spokesperson also said several other frontline workers, including health ministry staff, workers at the Office of the Prime Minister and journalists covering the COVID-19 functions had been tested.

On Friday, 35 new COVID-19 cases were announced in Uganda. The total confirmed cases now stand at 557. 15 cases were among samples taken from Points of Entry while 20 cases were among samples of alerts and contacts.