Kitgum District Unveils Coronavirus Taskforce

Kitgum district has stepped up preparedness towards containing any impending outbreak of the deadly Coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic by setting up a taskforce committee.

The Kitgum resident district commissioner, William Komakech says formation of the taskforce is part of the measures to contain the deadly epidemic that has continued to manifest across several countries. Komakech also says despite no confirmed cases of the pandemic having yet been reported in the country, the district should exhibit vigilance to identify any case and subsequently be ready to manage the situation.

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Kitgum district Chief Administrative Officer, Martin Jacan Gwokto, proposed that the district taskforce should include; the offices of the Resident district Commissioner, district Chairperson, the CAO; development partners and the security; while the district health department will act as the taskforce secretariat. The task force also resolved to subdivide members of the major task force into sub committees that include; case management, surveillance, health promotion and a resource mobilization sub committees.

Gwokto says key among the tasks to be undertaken by the taskforce includes; embarking on rigorous sensitization campaigns through the major communication mediums and media outlets in the district on preventative measures and the dangers of the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

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Members of the public are also being implored to embrace a hand washing culture by regularly washing hands with soap and water besides avoiding close personal contact such as touching or shaking hands, and restrictions at major gatherings. All public places, institutions and major places of gathering like markets, churches, schools, administrative units, hospitals amidst others are currently being compelled to possess hand washing facilities and ensure that people visiting these places adhere to all required preventive measures. 

William Komakech says intense surveillance will be enhanced by deployment of security personnel at high risk areas at the porous borders and entry points with South Sudan. He said local Council One leaders will be compelled to ensure that visitors are registered.

In regards to case management and response, the Kitgum Hospital medical superintendent Dr. Geoffrey Okello proposed for the identification of an isolation site and ensuring procurement of testing kits and having health personnel to diagnose and manage the epidemic. 

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According to Dr. Okello, the common signs of the Coronavirus infection include respiratory symptoms, sever fever, runny nose or flu like symptoms, cough, sore throats and shortness of breathing difficulties which can cause pneumonia, kidney failure and even death.