COVID-19: Do not trust anyone, experts warn

COVID-19 | DANGEROUS TIMES|

After President Yoweri Museveni eased the lockdown recently, research shows there has been increased laxity among Ugandans in observing Ministry of Health prevention measures. This has increased infections.

Birungi (not real name) was invited to a birthday party last week at an enclosed location (bar). Whereas the gate had a sign, ‘bar closed' on it, the security guard at the gate let her in.

She joined her friends who had congregated after work and the fun continued.

Research shows such is the laxity exuded in different parts of the country after President Yoweri Museveni eased the lockdown last month. Experts warn that community infections, particularly in the Kampala metropolitan area were shooting through the roof and this has turned into a time bomb. They warned that the population should treat everyone with high suspicion or as a potential coronavirus (COVID-19) suspect.

"There is clear evidence that community transmissions are going on and this means that we shall continue seeing people falling sick while others will present late and die," said Dr Misaki Wayengera of the COVID-19 scientific advisory committee.

"Do not trust anyone around you except those you live with at home. When you step out of your home to go to town or elsewhere, always wear your face mask and take precautions," he added in an interview on Friday.

Dr Charles Olaro, the director clinical services, said in this phase of increasing COVID-19 community transmission, it is up to each and every one to protect themselves and follow the prevention guidelines.

"Of the COVID-19 deaths Uganda has recorded, five have happened in Kampala city. It is safest to assume everyone you meet is infected. This is not a call to panic, but an encouragement to us to return to responsible behaviour that will keep us safe," Olaro said.

The natural history of COVID-19 is diverse across different patients.

However, one should suspect they have been exposed to the disease when they have symptoms including; fever, unexplained general body weakness, flu, cough, diffi culty in breathing, loss or reduced sense of smell, diarrhoea, voiting, etc.

New death

Uganda has registered another COVID-19 death that occurred on Saturday, bringing the total deaths to seven. The deceased is a 49-year-old Ugandan female, an alert case and resident of Wakiso.

"She was an HIV-positive patient and on highly active anti-retroviral therapy, with history of asthma and tuberculosis. These are risk factors for COVID-19," the health ministry reported.

The woman presented at a private health facility in Wakiso with symptoms consistent with COVID-19.

These included high fever, difficulty in breathing, chest pain and abdominal pain.

On admission, the attending clinicians suspected COVID-19 and informed the ministry. Samples were taken and results confirmed SARSCOV-2.

The health ministry has so far listed 35 contacts of the woman.

Status update

A total of 16 new COVID-19 cases were confirmed from samples tested on Saturday. These include 10 alerts, two contacts of previously confirmed cases and four truck drivers.

The alerts are from Kampala Metropolitan Area, Bugiri, Bukwo, Nakaseke and Wakiso districts. The contacts are all from Wakiso district whereas all four truck drivers arrived from Kenya via the Malaba and Busia points of entry.

Health workers at risk

Health experts warn that health workers, especially those in private health facilities were at risk of contracting the virus.

Yesterday, health ministry officials including the permanent secretary, Dr Diana Atwine and the director-general health services, Dr Henry Mwebesa, held a meeting private health professional and urged them to dichotomise their care and to have a high index of suspicion of patients that walk into their facilities.

The challenge that COVID-19 presents is that there are asymptomatic cases that keep transmitting the virus from person to person.

"Whereas the feasible thing to do would be to test everybody, it is unfortunately not possible. We, however, hope to have more rapid tests in the near future to cater to the population," Wayengera explained.

For those suspected to have contracted COVID-19, health experts advise that they stay at home and call the health ministry's helpline.

The ministry will evacuate them to gazetted treatment centres rather than walking into a health facility and endangering the lives of others.

Africa exceeds one million mark

Meanwhile, more than one million people in Africa are infected with just five countries accounting for 75% of all cases, says the continent's health watchdog, the Africa Centres for Diseases Control.

A total of 1,011,495 infections and at least 22,115 deaths, accounting for around 5% of global cases, have been recorded in Africa, according to a recent AFP tally.

"African countries are doing their best, despite limitations such as weak health systems," says Mary Stephen of the World Health Organisation Africa office.

She, however, warned against the public complacency that can develop in prolonged outbreaks.

Countries with high infections include South Africa, Egypt, Djibouti, Nigeria, Gabon, Algeria, Kenya among others.

East African nations like Rwanda and Uganda have managed to significantly slow down transmission, while Mauritius has flattened the curve, according to WHO.