Uganda recorded a total of 10,491 COVID-19 cases and 59 deaths in the first ten days of June.
This implies that the country has recorded an average of 1,041 cases this month.
Uganda recorded 10,491 COVID-19 cases and 59 deaths in the
first ten days of June. This implies that the country has recorded an average of
1,041 cases this month.
However, the highest single-day record for cases and deaths was on
June 10, when the country got 1,735 new cases and 15 deaths.
Dr Monica Musenero Masanza, the Presidential Advisor on Epidemics, says
the June 10 data shows that out of 100 people tested, 20 were infected
with COVID-19.
The June figures so far indicate that there is an upsurge of
COVID-19 cases in Uganda with the country's cumulative cases rising to 60,250
and 423 deaths.
Musenero attributes the surging number of cases to young people
who have been socializing secretly in bars and not been adhering to the
standard operating procedures at the office.
"So the people dying are not old. They are between 25 to 45
years and these are the corporate age," Musenero says.
Some of the people who have succumbed to covid-19 include two
police officers SSP Samuel Bamuzibire the Kampala Metropolitan 999 Patrol
Commander and Mathias Turyasingura the Kira Road Division Police Commander. The
others are Patrick Keihwa the former Kabale LC5 Chairperson and Jowali K. Kyeyaga
the former Bunya South MP.
The second wave started in April, characterised by an increasing
number of new cases and critically ill patients who are aged between 20 to 39
years. Also, the numbers of deaths recorded are rising.
Due to the surging number of cases and deaths amidst limited
testing in the community, people have started wearing face masks again,
washing hands regularly. Others have also resorted to steaming, self-medication
while others are making concoctions dubbed anti-COVID-19 home remedies to boost
their immunity. Some of the concoctions include blending ginger, garlic, and
red pepper in hot water.
Musenero however urges the public not to consume large quantities
of ginger and garlic because they may damage their gut. She instead says people
should have a balanced diet and also drink water and juice to keep hydrated.
According to the Ministry of health, during the first wave, a
COVID-19 positive person could infect between 21 to 39 people. However, in
the second wave, a positive person can infect between 80 to 100 people.
Last
week, President Museveni announced fresh restrictions as part of measures to
control the COVID-19 transmissions in the country in face of the second wave of
the pandemic.
Among the fresh restrictions, the president directed the closure of all
educational institutions across the country for 42 days, worship centres, banned
gathering of more than 20 people, public transport between districts and others.
Joan Akello
Freelancer