By Nsunjo Erica
Uganda has recorded its first death as a result of Covid-19 according to a statement from the Ministry of Health in the country.
According to the Ministry, the deceased COVID-19 patient was a 34-year-old woman who was originally being treated for pneumonia Mbale Hospital last week.
She first presented with COVID-19-like signs and symptoms including fever, dry cough, headache, and difficulty in breathing.
She was initially admitted to Wasungui HC II on Wednesday (July 15, 2020) and treated for severe pneumonia.
However, on Monday (July 20, 2020), she was transferred to Joy Hospice health facility, in Mbale District, where she was isolated in the female ward.
While in isolation, the patient’s condition deteriorated with difficulty in breathing, cough, chills, and headache. She passed on Tuesday (July 21, 2020) at 2:00 am and was buried on Thursday (July 23, 2020) as per Safe Dignified Burial procedures.
“In our earlier report, we had indicated that the deceased was not a Ugandan. Further investigations have since established that she was a Ugandan from Manafwa, Bubulo East, Namabya- Namunyali- Sisongofwa,” Dr. Mwebesa told journalists in Kampala on Thursday.
Uganda registers 1st COVID-19 death.
A 34 year old Ugandan female,resident of Namisindwa District who presented with COVID like signs and symptoms: fever,dry cough,headache and difficulty in breathing.
Director General Health Services, @henrymwebesa confirms during a presser pic.twitter.com/5eQ6tVbJCn— Ministry of Health- Uganda (@MinofHealthUG) July 23, 2020
The postmortem samples from the deceased were confirmed positive for COVID-19 by four laboratories: UVRI, CPHL, Tororo, and Makerere.
In addition, Dr. Mwebesa said that the findings at postmortem showed features of acute pneumonia, findings that are consistent with COVID-19 infection.
The deceased was part of the support staff at a health center and the health ministry says they are working tirelessly to identify all the people that may have come into contact with the deceased.
So far, 30 contacts to the deceased have been listed and placed under quarantine by the health authorities in Namisindwa and Mbale districts.
Dr. Mwebesa said the listed contacts so far include family members, and healthcare workers, with the process of contact identification and listing still ongoing.
The country’s World Health Organization representative, Dr. Yonas Tegegn Woldermariam, said at a media briefing that the death does not indicate that Uganda should reinstate total lockdown as it will depend on various issues.
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