Coronavirus: A sigh of hope as seven suspected cases test negative

CORONAVIRUS

KAMPALA- Samples collected from seven people who were suspected to have the deadly coronavirus (COVID-19) are negative.

Health Minister Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng this morning confirmed the results on her twitter page.

"Good to note that samples from seven suspected cases with COVID-19 like symptoms from Kampala and Kanungu districts tested negative for COVID-19," read Aceng's tweet.

Good people, please wash your hands with soap and water as much as you can. If you don't have soap and water, use an alcohol based sanitizer or hand rub. Encourage those around you to wash their hands with soap and water as well. We can keep #COVID19 out of #Uganda. pic.twitter.com/4VCrE8eukn

— Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng (@JaneRuth_Aceng) March 11, 2020

Social media was awash with information saying there were people in Kanungu that had contracted the deadly disease.

However, the minister reiterated that to date Uganda has no confirmed case of COVID-19.

COVID-19 is a new viral illness in the family of coronaviruses, characterised by fever, tiredness, and dry cough. Some patients may have nasal congestion, sore throat or diarrhea.

In more severe cases, the infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure, and even death.

Members of the public have been encouraged to always verify information on COVID-19 from authentic sources such as the Health Ministry and the World Health Organisation website in order not to cause panic amongst the population.