Uganda registers fifth COVID-19 death

HEALTH   COVID-19

Uganda has registered another COVID-19 death, bringing the number to five. The deceased is a 46-year-old Indian woman and resident of Kibuli, Makindye Divison.

According to the Ministry of Health daily update on COVID-19 test results, the woman who had been admitted at Kibuli Muslim Hospital, presented signs and symptoms of COVID-19 on August 1, 2020. These include cough, mild fever and difficulty in breathing. 

"The Kibuli Muslim Hospital team referred her to Mulago National Referral Hospital for further management on the same day. Unfortunately, she passed away on the way to Mulago. May her soul rest in eternal peace," said Dr Henry Mwebesa, the Director-General Health Services. 

He said that further investigations were done and it was found that she was diabetic and off medication and had a history of asthma for 10 years. 

"Both diabetes and asthma are risk factors for COVID-19," Mwebesa said.  

According to him, samples taken from the body were analysed at three COVID-19 testing laboratories; Makerere University, Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) and the Central Public Health laboratories. All tests confirmed SARS-COV-2, a virus that causes COVID-19. 

Other results 

From the 2,485 samples tested on August 2, 2020, 13 tested positive for the coronavirus. These include four truck drivers, five contacts to previously confirmed cases, two returnees and two alerts from Buikwe and Kampala. The Kampala case is the deceased. 

The four truck drivers arrived from DRC via Bunagana point of entry and Kenya via Malaba border.  The two returnees arrived from the USA and were under quarantine at the time of tests while the contacts include three from Kampala and two from Gulu, and were under quarantine. 

Additionally, Mwebesa said 18 foreign truck drivers tested positive and were denied entry into the country. These include 11 Kenyans, five Tanzanians and two Congolese. 

Uganda's total accumulative case tally is 1,195 and 1,070 have so far recovered. 

"The Ministry of Health would like to appeal to the general public to call the toll free line on 0800203033 or 0800100066 to report any suspected person with signs and symptoms similar to COVID-19," Mwebesa said.