Eight positive Covid-19 cases have been confirmed in Wagagai Gold
Mining Refinery in Busia district. Two are casual labourers
working in the refinery while the six Chinese nationals are managers.
Wagagai Gold Mining refinery is a Chinese gold firm that covers
over 300 acres of land in the four villages of Amagoro, Amonikakine, Akipenet
and Alupe all in Mawero parish in Buteba sub-county.
On Thursday, the refinery was closed and over 300 workers were sent
home over suspected cases of covid-19.
Dr Mathias Wabwire Panyako, the Busia District Health Officer, says
that out of 177 samples picked from workers, eight tested positive.
Wabwire says that the six Chinese nationals have been placed under
self-quarantine and they are getting treatment within the refinery, while the
two other patients are under home-based care treatment.
John Rex Achila, the Busia Resident District Commissioner says
that they have asked the gold refinery management to avail his office with the
list and telephone contacts of all refinery workers who were sent home on
Thursday when the refinery was closed.
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Achila says that they plan to intensify mandatory rapid diagnostic tests among
the community members in the mining areas like in sub-counties of Buteba, Tiira
and Busia Municipality.
He appealed to residents to observe the standard operating
procedure- SOPs issued by the ministry of health to prevent the spread of
Coronavirus in the area.
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The US$ 200 Gold Refinery which is under construction is expected to be
completed by 2025 and will produce 1000 tons of gold daily.
Gabriel Mukisa
Freelancer