Ministry reveals origin of 5 new COVID-19 cases

 

KAMPALA - Uganda's Ministry of Health has said all the previously confirmed coronavirus cases are in stable condition even as five new cases were confirmed on Saturday.

 

A press release signed by Dr Henry Mwebesa, the director general of health services said the cases confirmed on Saturday had brought the number to 23.

 

"The five new confirmed cases who are all imported cases were under quarantine at the time of test," Mwebesa said.

 

He added: "All the 18 previously confirmed COVID-19 cases are in stable condition at Mulago National Specialised Hospital and Entebbe Grade B Hospital."

 

The new cases include a 32-year-old Ugandan male, resident of Masaka district, who arrived from Amsterdam via Qatar.

 

The other is a 41-year-old female, a foreign national and resident of Ntinda, Kampala who arrived from Dubai UAE.

 

There is also a case of a 43-year-old Ugandan female who arrived from Dubai and another of a 40-year-old Ugandan male, resident of Budo, Wakiso district who arrived from Dubai.

 

The fifth case is a 64-year-old Ugandan male, resident of Najjanankumbi who arrived from Dubai.

 

"To date a total of 1,175 cases are under follow up; 876 of these are under institutional quarantine while 299 are under self-quarantine. A total of 1,596 high risk travellers have completed their 14 days of follow-up and have been issued with certificates of completion of the mandatory quarantine," the ministry statement added.

 

President Yoweri Museveni has since banned public transport and stopped the sale of non-food items in markets in a bid to halt the spread of the virus.

 

Earlier, he banned both incoming and outgoing travel as well as suspending all passenger flights save for emergency and cargo ones. Cargo trucks, not carrying more than three passengers are also free to move.

 

The President is expected to announce additional measures.