KAMPALA – Following the registration of one coronavirus case at Kawempe police station a week ago, the health ministry took samples of all the staffs, family members and all the suspects in custody for testing.
Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson Patrick Onyango said from the samples taken, only 14 tested positive for coronavirus and they have been taken to isolation centers.
“The 14 suspects positive with coronavirus have been charged and prisons have been allowed to remand them. They are right now in transit to the prison,” said Onyango as quoted by the Daily Monitor adding, ” He did not disclose the prison the suspects were remanded to.”
Onyango further noted that all the remaining suspects in the cells will be tested and taken to Mandela National Stadium for quarantine.
In total, Uganda’s health ministry has declared around 5000 coronavirus cases, of whom close to 60 have died and 2000 recovered.
Uganda has seen a recent spike in new infections, having seen an initial slow rise in its caseload.
Continentally, the number of confirmed COVID-19 infections stood at 1,353,283 with 32,625 deaths, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.
Uganda’s latest figures come as the World Health Organization urged countries to remain vigilant and keep track of possible mutation of the virus.
“As we continue to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa, being able to not only track its evolution, but also assess the possible mutation of the virus is crucial to mounting an effective response,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa. “Through this new laboratory network dedicated to genome sequencing we can better develop vaccines and treatment which are tailored to Africans and eventually bring COVID-19 under control.”