The Ministry of Health has said they would require at least three more weeks to assess the COVID-19 situation and then prompt the next course of action for the country.
According to the Ministry, they will need a minimum of 21 days to ensure the stability of numbers of infections as far as coronavirus is concerned.
The lockdown will be lifted Tuesday midnight if the president makes a decree, following the end of the 14 stipulated days directed by President Museveni on April First.
Throughout the lockdown period, Uganda continued to post negative results from large volumes of samples with only 50 reactivating positive to the test.
The ministry is also set to discharge 15 more people who have recovered from the virus, after clearing 3 that had fully recovered by Thursday last week.
Speaking to Mildred Tuhaise on NBS Morning Breeze this morning, Dr Alek Kagirita, the Deputy Covid-19 Incident Manager said that they would be released either later today or tomorrow.
“We thank God we are seeing recovery. Today or tomorrow, we shall release more people.
15 people are doing well,” Dr Kagirita said.
He added that as the country enhances its testing capabilities, they are continuing to see instantaneous positives and negatives results, and that is helping the task force efforts to curb the spread.
“The moment you have a delayed decision on covid19 even by a day, you are beaten.” Dr Kagirita Affirmed.
249 quarantined travellers to be cleared
Dr Kagirita added that 249 are set to be released from institutional quarantine when they test negative at their completion of 14 days cycle. The Ministry of Health continues to follow up on them to be sure that they are negative.
According to Kagirita, they have a team of psychological doctors who interact with the communities and family members before a person is discharged. These educate the community and family about the stigma surrounding Covid19.
Too early to open the country
Dr Diana Atwine the ministry of health permanent secretary said it was too early to lift the lockdown.
“It is still too early to conclude based on these numbers. Our strategy is to get all potential people infected including the truck drivers that cross in whom we are focusing on now. The next 3 weeks will determine the direction we take. Stay safe,” she tweeted.
Atwine’s comments come on the day when the cabinet sits in Entebbe to determine the next course of action for the country after the elapse of the 14-day lockdown.
After the cabinet meeting, the president will address the nation on the same.
However, a ministry official said the recommended 21 days will be submitted to the National Covid-19 Response Team that will sit before Monday’s cabinet meeting for adoption.
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