COVID-19: Security concerned as over 600 new cases are registered in four days

COVID-19|SECURITY|TASKFORCE

The Joint Security Taskforce has expressed fears that Covid-19 may soon spread across the entire country after the country registered over 600 new cases in the past four days.

Addressing journalists at Uganda Media Centre in Kampala on Friday, the Police spokesperson, Fred Enanga said;

"You can really see the way this virus is actually spreading across the country and I think very soon if we don't come up with measures of containment you will find all regions and the districts affected with this virus."

Out of the 3016 samples of Covid-19 tested on Thursday, 86 Ugandans tested positive, the health ministry confirmed in a statement.

The country's accumulative case tally has reached 4377 from a total of 423,214 samples since tested.

All the 86 cases were from the 2784 samples tested from alerts and contacts.

Kampala recorded 36 cases, Gulu 15, Mukono 7, Moroto 12, Lira 5, Wakiso 4, Kitgum 2, Lamwo 2, Buliisa 1, Oyam 1 and Zombo 1.

Of the 232 samples tested from the points of entry, none of the Ugandans tested positive , while 1 foreign truck driver, a Kenyan was denied entry after testing positive.

Recoveries according to the ministry stand are 1998. The death toll stands at 49 after one more death was confirmed.

"It also shows that probably we are not doing enough for all of us as Ugandans while in our communities and work places.

We still continue seeing people who are not observing the SOP protocols by the health ministry," Enanga said.

Security agencies admit that it was challenging  for people in congregated settings such as markets, arcades, taxi parks and some of the open spaces to observe the social distancing protocols 100%.

"But we really need not to continue being complacent. We need to come up with measures to promote vigilance," he said.

Enanga said that most of the hospitals including the private hospitals were funding a challenge admitting victims who are suspected to be having Covid-19.

"Even when you don't have it and you are ill and you are taken to the hospital, they are now demanding for a Covid-19 certificate and getting it is a process.

We need to really try as much as possible to guide against Covid-19 by strictly observing the health and safety protocols," Enanga said.