The recovery of Uganda’s economy which was hit hard by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown is likely not to be realized soon, after officials from the Ministry of Health observing that there is a surge in COVID-19 infections among employees of various companies.
So far, five companies that include Toyota Uganda, Vision Group, dfcu Bank, Stanbic Bank, UBC, and others have already closed some of their branches after staff members tested positive for COVID-19.
For instance, a statement from dfcu Bank about COVID-19 infections among their staff reads partly thus; “Dfcu informs the public that five (5) staff at our Lugogo branch have tested positive for COVID-19. The affected staff has been accorded the requisite medical and psychological support.
All exposed colleagues in the branch are undergoing tests and will be required to self-isolate for a period of 14 days.
Tracking all possible contacts is also underway and we are working with the Ministry of Health to facilitate the process of having the requisite tests carried out.
As a precautionary measure, the Branch has been temporarily closed to mitigate the risk of further infection to other staff, customers, and the public, and we will reopen after undergoing thorough decontamination and cleaning in line with the Ministry of Health Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
For this period customers are encouraged to use our digital channels (Quick Banking, dfcu, ATMs) for their routine banking activities.
We also appeal to all our customers and the public to adhere to the SOPS by the Ministry of Health to curb the spread of the pandemic and protect families.”
According to officials from the Ministry of Health Kampala is becoming a hub for sporadic COVID-19 infections which have been registered among traders and employees of corporate companies, hence the need to intensify the observance of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) at all workplaces.
Uganda currently has 2,524 cumulative confirmed cases of infection, with 26 deaths and 1,268 recoveries.
The latest victim is a 27-year-old Ugandan male, who was a resident of Mengo, Kampala.
Information from the Ministry indicates that the new cases of infection include contacts and alerts whereby 65 are from Kampala, 8 from Moroto, 6 from Wakiso, 4 from Mbale, 3 from Gulu, 2 from Adjumani, 1 from Arua, 1 from Kotido, 1 from Pader and 1 from Tororo District.
Among them are 3 drivers from different points of entry who include 2 from Mpondwe and 1 from Malaba.
There are also 2 returnees; 1 from South Sudan and 1 from South Africa, plus 1 health worker from Adjumani District who tested positive for COVID-19.
Officials from the Ministry revealed that 3 foreign truck drivers; 2 Kenyans and 1 Tanzanian tested positive for COVID-19 at different points of entry and were not permitted to enter the country.