Uganda registers 41.43% surge in Covid infections with PTR at 10.1%

On December 20, according to the Ministry of Health, 502 new cases were recorded…..

Kampala—23, December 2021: Kampala and Wakiso are leaders in the latest data on Covid-19 infections. They continue to lead for the fourth consecutive days since the country started registered ‘unexpected’ surge.

According to the Ministry of Health, results of Covid-19 tests done on 18 December confirmed 357 new cases. Of the numbers, Wakiso had 153, Kampala 129, Tororo 37; Amuru and Kalaki had 4 cases each, Arua, Busia and Kabala had 1 each. Kyotera recorded 14 new cases, and 13 truckers: 12 from Kyotera and 1 from Tororo tested positive.

The figures continued to surge. On December 20, according to the same Ministry, 502 new cases were recorded. 483 were alerts and contacts from: Wakiso 199, Kampala 238, Kyotera 12, Mbarara 6, Arua 5, Gulu 5; Jinja 3, Luweero 2, Soroti 2, Koboko 1, Amuru 3, Tororo 2 and Kabale 1.

Nineteen (19) truckers; Kyotera 13, Tororo 5 and Amuru 1 all tested positive.

Now, with only two days left for Christmas—for people to celebrate and thank God for “thus far He has brought us”—there is no good news. Covid-19 is surging at a high rate.

In its latest updates on Covid-19 released on Thursday for tests done on December 21, the Ministry of Health announced 710 new cases. This is a 41.43% rise from the latter numbers (502). The national test positivity rate (TPR) stands at 10.1%.

Of the latest figures Kampala, and Wakiso are on top—again. 700 were alerts and contacts from: Kampala 450, Wakiso 174, Mbarara 13, Luweero 10, Jinja 5, Mbale 6, Masaka 3, Amuru 4.

Other areas are Kibuke 3, Busia 2, Gulu 1, Kyotera 16, Tororo 11, and Busia 2*.

Ten (10) truckers from Kyotera 5, Kampala 3 and Amuru 2 all tested positive.

Inoculations, deaths and more

10,121,220 people, according to the Health Ministry figures, have been vaccinated since vaccines became available in the country. Of the 10m, 1.4m are fully vaccinated and 8.3m have received their first jab.

To date, 3,274 have succumbed to the pandemic. 98,127 have fully recovered. Also, 2,085,180 tests have been conducted since 2019. 6,992 tests were done on December 21.

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130,888 cumulative cases have been recorded since 2019 and only 85 are currently on admission at different health facilities.

Ugandans worried about another lockdown.

After staying in lockdown for the better part of the years 2019, 2020 and 2021, some Ugandans are again worried of another lockdown.

And whereas the Ministry of health—through its Senior Public Relations Officer Emmanuel Ainebyoona has dismissed any plan and rumors of locking down the country again, some Ugandans we spoke to say it’s ‘inevitable’.

Derrick Wandera, a resident of Naguru in Kampala, says, “What our leaders tell us today is nothing to carry to the next day. All I see is another lockdown, hopefully next year.”

“Omicron variant is a big threat now and I hope you understand, President Museveni. He will decide anyhow on this matter,” Wandera, a boda boda rider, adds.

“We don’t intend to lockdown ever again,” Ainebyoona told this publication on December 19.