“Two Tests Show Kenyan Lady Who Died In Mbale Had COVID 19”- Dr Atwine

BY PATRICK JARAMOGI

MBALE, Uganda|SHIFTMEDIA| It is apparent the Kenyan national who passed on in Mbale after showing signs of COVID 19 symptoms died of the killer pandemic, Ministry of Health has said.

The Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health Dr. Diana Atwine on Thursday morning told a city radio that so far two tests conducted on the deceased had shown that she had COVID 19.

“It is true the two tests carried out so far indicated the deceased had COVID 19, what is left is the last and final tests from the Uganda Virus Research Institute that will give us the final. If it also shows the same as the previous two tests, then we shall officially announce that Uganda has now one death due to COVID,” said Atwine.

Atwine also took the opportunity to warn Ugandans who are adamant about following the set SOPs and the presidential directives that COVID 19 is real and here in Uganda. “Ugandans are so adamant, (balina empuutu) and reckless, if this comes true that the deceased succumbed to COVID 19 perhaps some will take it seriously that Corona is real,” she said.

According to Atwine, the deceased was working as a Village Health Team (VHT) personnel in Namusindiwa district. “When her condition got worse she was rushed to Mbale where she passed on. A team of health experts have already been dispatched to Namusindwa to carry out more investigations,” he said.

she said once the team is tracing for all her contacts in Namusindwa to be quarantined as final results come from the UVRI.

Mbale is still in tension after the deceased was picked up from Mabyale sub-county in Namisindwa district and admitted at Joyce Hospice health centre.

It is alleged the patient fell sick a week ago and was admitted at one of the branches of Joyce Hospice in Namisindwa district. Mbale district COVID-19 surveillance focal person, Edward Nyogensa said the deceased presented with COVID-19 symptoms including dry cough, flue and chest pain. He says they have drawn samples from the deceased for testing.