KAMPALA — The Ministry of Health has confirmed 14 new coronavirus cases on Thursday June 11 from 2321samples tested on Wednesday June 10.
The new infections push Uganda’s cumulative total 679 confirmed cases.
Dr. Henry Mwebesa, the Director General Services at the Healthy Ministry says six of the cases were among the 1,260 samples tested from points of entry while eight were among 1,061 of alerts and contacts.
Three of the confirmed cases, he says are truck drivers who arrived from South Sudan via Elegu point of entry, two arrived from Tanzania via Mutukula and the other arrived through Lamwo District.
“Eight of the 14 are contacts and alerts to previously confirmed cases,” he notes, giving the details of community infections.
Three cases were identified from Kampala, Amuru (2), Dokolo (2) and Moyo (1) districts.
“All cases are Ugandans. The total number of cases in Uganda are now 679,” he adds in a statement on Thursday morning.
Additionally, he says, thirty 30 foreign truck drivers (19 Kenyans, 8 Tanzanians, 2 Eritreans and 1 Burundian who tested positive for coronavirus were handed over to their respective countries of origin.
To date, Uganda has registered a total of 120 coronavirus recoveries and no COVID-19 related death recorded.
Government on Wednesday June 10 started a nationwide distribution of free face masks as the country strives to combat the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.
First Deputy Prime Minister Moses Ali flagged off the exercise that is targeting all Ugandans aged 6 years and above.
According to the ministry of health, the first 750,000 masks will be distributed to communities in the border districts of Adjumani, Amuru, Kyotera and Rakai where the risk of importing the disease from neighboring countries is high.
Over 30 million masks will be distributed countrywide, according to the minister Jane Ruth Aceng.
“Ministry of Health will continue to receive face masks from the various manufacturers daily and this will be distributed to all the districts countrywide,” Dr. Aceng said. “Masks will be distributed door-to-door via Government structures”.
