Dr Jane Ruth Aceng has confirmed that the country registered 318 new positive cases of the coronavirus.
This is the largest number of cases recorded in Uganda in a single day and Kampala remains a zone to cause worry as the capital city has registered 540 cumulative cases since March.
“The Covid-19 situation is rapidly changing in Uganda with intense transmission in Kampala where Makindye, Nakawa and Kawempe divisions are the most affected. A total of 342 Covid-19 cases have been registered in Kampala within one week,” Dr. Aceng said.
“Last week, a prisoner in Amuru exhibited symptoms and our team was called to isolate him. 20 contacts of the prisoner were traced and tested. There was only one case recorded from them and he has since recovered,” said Dr. Aceng.
The minister added that further investigations uncovered 152 positive cases amongst inmates and 1 staff member. They were transferred to Gulu, where the ministry setup a specific center for inmates.
Minister Aceng insists that this was expected when lockdown measures were relaxed by President Museveni.
“We also recorded one Covid-19 death, a 49 year old male from Mbale District,” Dr Aceng said.
The 20 health workers who tested positive for the virus were from Kitgum (9), Kampala (6), Arua (2), Adjumani (1), Kiryandogo (1), and Luweero (1).
All the new cases according to Dr. Aceng are mild cases.
The minister however noted that the Coronavirus situation is rapidly changing in the country and there is need for increased vigilance.