By Ash Kings
Uganda has on Sunday April 19 discharged six more patients including a baby who have recovered from COVID-19 after treatment, bringing the count in the country to 28.
Mr. Emmanuel Ainebyoona, the Ministry of Health Spokesman, said that those discharged include 3 males and 3 females.
17 patients were early this week discharged from Mulago National Referral Hospital in the capital Kampala, and one from Hoima Regional Referral Hospital in the western part of the country.
“All the discharged patients tested negative twice for COVID-19. We are now remaining with 27 active cases from the confirmed 55 cases in the country,” the Ministry said in a statement.
Uganda started discharging patients who recovered from the novel coronavirus on last week Saturday with three patients from Entebbe Referral Hospital, about 40 km south of the capital.
On Saturday, a total of 1,126 samples were tested and all were negative for COVID-19.
Health Minister Dr Jane Ruth Aceng announced that two mobile PCR laboratories have been procured to quicken coronavirus testing at border entries.
Dr. Aceng confirmed that the two PCR laboratories will be received in the country on Sunday April 19 and officially be commissioned by Prime Minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda who also chairs the National Taskforce on coronaviris response.
They will be deployed at the congested border points to quicken testing and return of results, she said.
Dr Aceng gave status update on coronavirus response in Uganda and appealed to all of Ugandans who live along the roads followed by the truck drivers including the women who interact with them for different purposes to stay away from these truck drivers.
“During this period of Lock down, please do not accept visitors into your homes, not even neighbors, ensure adequate physical distancing with people who do not live with you every day,” she appealed.
Uganda has registered 55 confirmed cases and is currently under a three-week extended nationwide lockdown aimed at stopping the spread of the virus.