Africa News of Wednesday, 22 April 2020

Source: bbc.com

Long-distance drivers raise Uganda's Covid-19 cases

Health officials have been disinfecting open-air markets Health officials have been disinfecting open-air markets

Uganda has revised upwards the number of its confirmed coronavirus cases from 56 to 61, to include four Kenyan and one Tanzanian lorry drivers who were tested at its borders.

The country started testing all long-distance drivers two weeks ago.

They are then allowed to continue their journeys, and are tracked down if found to be positive for Covid-19.

Initially, Uganda had not included these confirmed cases in its official data, as it intended to deport the drivers.

But the ministry of health has released a statement clarifying that World Health Organization regulations require that every case is counted and treated in the country where the patient has been tested.

Between 700 and 1,000 cross-border cargo drivers are tested every day, according to the ministry.

Uganda has carried out over 14,700 tests, and has not recorded any deaths due to Covid-19.

The country is currently in the middle of a 21-day lockdown and curfew.