Uganda records 8 new cases of COVID-19
May 05, 2020
According to the ministry, five truck drivers arrived from Kenya through Malaba border post while another arrived from Tanzania via Mutukula border point.
Authorities in Uganda confirmed eight new cases of COVID-19 on Monday night minutes after the country's President Yoweri Museveni announced lockdown extension by two weeks.
In a Tweet, the Ministry of Health said: "Today, May 4, 2020, eight new COVID-19 cases confirmed. Six out of 2,061 samples of truck drivers while two cases are from the community confirmed from the Rapid Assessment Survey."
According to the ministry, five truck drivers arrived from Kenya through Malaba border post while another arrived from Tanzania via Mutukula border point.
The two other patients, the ministry said, were "a resident of Kyotera district while the other is a Ugandan truck driver from Mutukula".
The number of confirmed cases in the country now stands at 97 while no single death has been registered. Fifty five cases have so far been discharged.
In his 13th address to the nation on Monday night, President Museveni said: "Ugandans need to know that it is suicidal to agitate for banning of cargo trucks. Granddaughters should keep away from truck drivers."
He also said works and transport minister Gen Edward Katumba Wamala would follow up the truck drivers to find out those who were not following the set guidelines.
He said instead of stopping to buy meals, the drivers should move with packed food to avoid contacts with the local population.