Kyambogo varsity staff tests positive for COVID-19, nine isolated

One member of staff at Kyambogo University has been rushed to Mulago National Referral Hospital after testing positive for COVID-19.

The discovery of the positive case has caused panic at the campus which opened recently after almost six months of lockdown. 

The university spokesperson, Reuben Twinomujuni, confirmed to New Vision on Saturday night that nine other staff members from the faculty of vocational studies where the positive case was discovered had been sent home for self-isolation.

Twinomujuni, however, said no student had been affected. He said the university health centre administrators were in touch with the Ministry of Health to follow up on the nine contacts with their families to ensure they were tested and adhered to SOPS. 

If any other case is discovered, Twinomujuni said, they would be referred to Mulago Hospital.

He said those sent home will stay away for two weeks. He explained that the university currently has a total population of 11,943 student finalists.

The university has also put up a number of measures to protect the students. 

The university disinfected their halls of residence and classes plus all their luggage on reporting back to campus. 

Twinomujuni also said in addition, the university had embarked on a serious campaign to sensitive all students on SOPs, including the use of short voice videos, printed fliers and banners. 

In addition, all students have to wear masks, and they use temperature guns and wash their hands at various points before they enter lecturer rooms.

Twinomujuni said the university is also encouraging students to stay at the campus and has, therefore, subsidised accommodation fees (sh120,000 compared to the sh500,000 they pay to stay in hostels).

A room that originally accommodated four students now has two and there is still space for more finalists. The university has also put up an isolation facility, where they refer to suspected cases before they can be tested and transferred to Mulago Hospital. 

COVID-19 national results

Results of COVID-19 tests done on October 30 confirmed 85 new cases. The cumulative confirmed cases in the country are now 12,495.

One new COVID-19 death was recorded in Sironko district. The total COVID-19 deaths are now 111.