COVID-19: 66% patients in our ICUs don't survive — Ugandan doctor

HEALTH | COVID-19

Only 34 per cent of COVID-19 patients admitted in intensive care units (ICUs) in Uganda can make it out alive, a top epidemiologist has said.

 Lt. Col Henry Kyobe, a senior epidemiologist and Incident Commander of the COVID-19 response, said: "We need to guard ourselves not to get infected. COVID-19 outcomes from ICU patients are not pleasing."

 "We have to watch over ourselves and make sure we adhere to the SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures). There is no in-between to adherence. You can't say you'll wear a mask today and not wear one the next time."

Kyobe made the comments while speaking at the State of Security Brief. 

The brief, which took place at Uganda Police Force headquarters Friday (December 11, 2020), was intended to update the country on the status of the Covid-19 pandemic in the country. 

Covid-19 cases have been rising exponentially since the first case was registered in Uganda on March 21. 

Currently, there are 26,369 positive COVID-19 cases in Uganda, with over 220 deaths.

The high numbers have reportedly resulted in the US Centre of Disease Control and Prevention to raise a red flag on Uganda, which has been categorized as a high-risk country for travellers.