Coronavirus claims Kole NRM chairperson

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) party chair-person of Kole district has succumbed to coronavirus.

James Ebong Okalo, 47, was admitted at Lira Medical Centre on Saturday, his samples taken on Sunday, and tested he positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday.

Edmond Acheka, the acting District Health Officer of Lira said the deceased went to Lira Medical Centre with signs and symptoms of coronavirus.

"This morning, the patient called the laboratory focal person telling him that he was having difficulty in breathing and he was getting weaker," Acheka said.

He said they informed the treatment centre who said they were discharging some people and would go and collect him, but he ended up dying.

The Kole district chairperson Betty Nam said three people from Kole have so far succumbed to coronavirus although community infection was still low.  

Nam said three health workers from Kole Health Centre IV and staff of Kole District Local Government also tested positive.

"We may close the facility tomorrow (Thursday) because the health workers had contacts with many people.

She called on the government to train and equip all health workers in handling coronavirus including those from private facilities.

Lilly Auma, a younger sister to the deceased said she visited him Wednesday morning and found him struggling to breathe.

She said she alerted medical workers at the facility who told her that they had handed over responsibility to Lira Regional Referral Hospital.

"My brother personally called Lira Regional Referral Hospital complaining of difficulty in breathing, but no one responded to his plea," Auma said.

She said from 9 am, Lira Hospital was called, but they said they were still preparing a place to put him since the treatment centre was full.

Auma said her brother's condition deteriorated, and he died at about 11:11 am without any help.