43 More People Test Positive, Uganda's COVID-19 Cases Rise to 203

The number of COVID-19 cases in the country has risen to 203 after 43 more people tested positive to the virus.

The new cases comprise 15 Ugandans, nine Kenyans and four Eritreans who entered the country through the Elegu border point. Six cases including five Tanzanians and one Burundian entered through Mutukula while five Kenyans, two Ugandans, one Burundian and one person whose nationality is unknown entered through Malaba.

The new cases were part of 1,838 samples that were tested today at Uganda Virus Research Institute and at the Mutukula Point of Entry Laboratory. 

Earlier on today, the health ministry commissioned the first Port Health laboratory in the country which will use Genexpert technology with the ability to run 64 tests per hour. 

During the commissioning, the health minister Dr Jane Ruth Aceng said the new laboratory will help stop positive truck drivers from being a threat to communities.

"All truck drivers will have to be tested and wait for their results. If you are found positive, you cannot proceed with your journey. If you are negative, you are released," she explained.

During an interview with URN, Atek Kagirita the COVID-19 incident commander at the Ministry of Health said that the country's main focus now in fighting COVID-19 was controlling truck drivers.

"Our cases are rising but it's mostly due to truck drivers. We want to solve this and are planning on making testing faster at points of entry," he said.