Minister for the presidency directs RDCs on Covid-19

Philip Matogo 13:16 - 30 December 2021

Minister-for-the-Presidency-Hon-Esther-Mbayo

As the surge of the Omicron variant sweeps all other variants of Covid-19 to the sidelines, the Minister for Presidency Milly Dokha Babalanda has directed Resident District Commissioners (RDC) and Resident City Commissioners (RCC) across the country to strictly enforce Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

Ms Babalanda, in a sweeping directive, highlights the Omicron variant as a clear and present danger to the health of the country and asks RDCs and RCCs to step up mobilisation and inspection to ensure the spread of the variant tapers off to a blip on the radar.

“Following the escalation in the numbers of Covid-19 omicron cases, you are hereby directed to undertake massive radio sensitisations and to inspect public places to ensure that the SOPs are being observed,” the directive, dated December 29, reads.

“We need to beat back the resurge (sic) in cases due to Omicron as we head into the New Year,” the minister adds.

This directive comes on the heels of the Ministry of Health confirming 1,272 new COVID-19 cases in Uganda.

In the ministry’s latest update, two new COVID-19-related deaths have been recorded, bringing to 3,287 the cumulative number of people that have succumbed to the virus in Uganda.

The cumulative confirmed cases are 137,270, and the positivity rate is 18.3%.

According to the latest update, 69 people battling COVID-19 are admitted in different health facilities.

The new cases were from 1,252 alerts and contacts registered from the following areas:

In Kampala 741, Wakiso 226, Mbale 40, Jinja 30, Gulu 37, Mbarara 31, Rakai 15, Soroti 13, Kabale 9, Adjumani 9, and Busia 22.

Others are from Iganga 7, Masindi 7, Bududa 6, Tororo 10, Kalungu 5, Luweero 5, Hoima 3, Ibanda 3, Namisindwa 3, Mukono 3, Ntungamo 2, Budaka 2, Kyotera 10, Amuru 8, Kabarole 3. Jinja 2.