Uganda has confirmed 11 new cases of COVID-19.
According to the Ministry of Health, the new cases are from the 1,020 samples tested from truck drivers at the border points of entry.
“Of the 11 confirmed cases, 6 were Tanzanian truck drivers who arrived from Tanzania via Mutukula border post , 5 were Kenyan truck drivers [3 entered via Malaba border post and 2 via Busia],” Dr Henry G Mwebesa, Health Ministry’s Director General Health Services said on Thursday.
Uganda’s confirmed cases now stand at 74 with 46 total recoveries.
Speaking at the Uganda Media Centre yesterday, Gen Jeje Odongo, Internal Affairs minister, said the government is considering a number of options to ensure those truck drivers who come into Uganda don’t transmit the virus into the community.
“While we are sacrificing to keep the spread of COVID-19 minimal, our efforts are undermined by imported cases. Government has noted these concerns and the national task force is now studying possible remedial actions,” Odongo said.
Uganda started testing truck drivers about two weeks ago and these, UN officials, air cargo crew and emergency service providers are the only people exempted to enter Uganda after the closure of all land, water and air entry points.
While addressing the country last week, President Museveni said truck drivers who have been tested for coronavirus should be left to proceed with their journeys and only traced if they have test positive.
Odongo said, with truck drivers fast becoming the coronavirus importers, government has to rethink what new actions they should take. He pointed out the deployment of rapid testing kits so that results are obtained before the driver leaves the border. However, he was quick to add that this might be an impossible option because of the cost implications. Each test kit is said to cost $65 according to minister of Health Jane Ruth Aceng.
The other option government is considering, Odongo said, is to adopt a system of relay driving where a driver from a neighbouring country like Kenya brings the vehicle up to the border like Busia or Malaba. Here, the vehicle is sanitized then handed over to a Ugandan driver who will take it to its final destination if it is in Uganda.
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