Tips on how to care for people with symptoms of COVID-19 

COVID-19

KAMPALA - By Tuesday evening, Uganda had confirmed 44 cases of the COVID-19 and many people are still being tested.

The health ministry has advised those who present with symptoms to seek screening.

Atek Kagirita, the incident commander at the health ministry, notes that signs that people should look out for are cough, flu, sore throat, high fever and difficulty in breathing.

Kagirita advises that while at home, people with symptoms should be prevented from interacting with other members of the family.

"They should be confined in one room, where they can access whatever they need. The area of confinement should be well-aerated and should contain all the facilities the person might need without them having to share things such as a toilet, bathroom or living room with others.

Kagirita stresses that when one presents with the symptoms, there should be limited or no movement of such people in the house for at least for 14 days as they are being observed and having the signs dealt with to save others from getting infected.

"Such people should have specific carers who are in charge of attending to their needs while in the isolation room," he says.

Even while attending to them, Dr. Henry Mwebesa, the Director-General of Health Services at the health ministry, notes that carers should not get too close to people with signs of COVID-19.

They should at least observe a two-metre distance.

He says wearing masks on the nose and mouth should be mandatory for both the carers and the suspected patients.

Mwebesa says carers should always wash their hands with clean water and soap or use sanitisers before and after attending to patients.

"Much as cleanliness of the home is mandatory, carers should ensure that they wear gloves while cleaning and also disinfect especially in the areas where the person spends time," he says.

While doing laundry, the carers should never mix clothes of other family members with those of the person with Covid 19 signs. This could cause more infections to the other family members," Mwebesa explains.

"Such a person should be fed on fruits such as lemons, pineapples and oranges, among others as these contain vitamins that boost immunity and can help one recover from whatever condition they might have," he says.

Mwebesa adds that this should be done together with keeping the victim hydrated as he follows instructions from medics.

If symptoms persist, call for quick medical intervention and to avoid further spread of the disease.

However, much as isolation of such people from other family is encouraged, Dr Jane Ruth Acen, the health minister, says it is important that family members report such cases to the health ministry so that the people are quarantined and tested for Covid-19.