Uganda records spike in daily COVID-19 cases

Uganda, like other East African Community member states, has been grappling with a recent surge in COVID-19 cases with both Rwanda and Uganda reporting record increases in people infected with the virus. The spike in cases is primarily attributed to community transmission, particularly in the capital city of Kampala, following the easing of lockdown measures. The Ministry of Health in Uganda recently announced 64 new cases, bringing the total cumulative number to 2426 cases since the country's first recorded case. Kampala has emerged as a major hotspot for COVID-19 in the country, prompting government interventions to mitigate the spread of the virus. Initially, foreign cases from truck drivers and returning nationals accounted for infections in Uganda. However, with the ban on foreign COVID-19 positive cases, community transmission has become the primary mode of spread. The Ministry of Health highlighted the challenges in managing foreign cases transiting through Uganda, emphasizing the need for stringent protocols to prevent importation of the virus. Amid the surge in cases, Uganda has also witnessed a rise in the number of COVID-19 related deaths, averaging four deaths per week, with a total of 25 deaths reported in the past month. The country recorded a single-day high of 318 cases on August 22, raising concerns among health experts about the adequacy of testing in detecting the actual prevalence of the virus. Limited testing capacity has been a major bottleneck in accurately assessing the extent of COVID-19 spread in Uganda. Health professionals have raised alarm over the high number of asymptomatic cases, indicating that a significant portion of the population may be unknowingly infected with the virus. The Ministry of Health has acknowledged the need to scale up testing to uncover more cases and prevent further transmissions. Vaccine trials have been a focal point in the fight against COVID-19, with both Kenya and Uganda set to participate in vaccine trials with various pharmaceutical companies. Uganda, known for its contributions to medical research in sub-Saharan Africa, is working alongside South Africa in developing a vaccine. The Uganda Virus Research Institute is awaiting licensing approvals to commence vaccine manufacturing and testing. Once regulatory clearances are obtained, Uganda aims to expedite the process of advancing vaccine development to combat the spread of COVID-19. The government remains vigilant in addressing the public health crisis, implementing strategic measures to curb the rising cases and ramping up efforts to contain the virus within the country.