Over 1,600 Ugandans recover from Covid-19 in one week

Uganda has in the past seven days recorded a total of 1,652 Ugandans recovering from COVID-19, the Ministry of health data  shows.

The data which covers recoveries recorded between June 18 and June 24 are for official recoveries reported in government facilities and a few private facilities that are posting their figures with the ministry. 

“The recoveries are for people who recover from government hospitals and some few private that report their figures. These recoveries do not include thousands of  those people recovering from the home-based care,” Emmanuel Ainebyoona, the Ministry of Health spokespersons said. 

Regarding the recoveries, Uganda recorded 205 recoveries on June 18, 262 (June 19), 291 (June 20), 00 (June 21), 265 (June 22), 327 (June 23), and 302 recoveries on June 24.  

In the same period, a total of 7,329 new cases were reported by the Ministry of Health including 242 deaths. The highest deaths reported within this period were 49 deaths recorded on June 23. 

These are records the ministry of health has been able to capture. Medics believe that there are many more Ugandans who are recovering from the virus at home and many others who have lost the battle. The second wave of the virus has seen a surge in the number of people falling ill after contracting the virus and those that die. 

As of June 24, Uganda had a total of 51,004 cumulative recoveries had been recorded, the cumulative caseload was 77,505. A cumulative of 1,286 Ugandans was being treated at the various hospitals while a cumulative 868 people have so far succumbed to the various. 

Ainebyoona attributed the raising death tolls in the country to people’s late presentation to hospitals for treatment. 

“The magic is in early initiation of care and therefore improved treatment outcomes. Late presentation is highly associated with very poor outcomes. Medics are advising people to come early when a lot can be done before a point where the patients’ conditions are irreversible,” he said. 

The country is currently on a second lockdown in order to curb the fast spread of the virus. The 42 day lockdown was instituted by the President on June 18.  

Uganda has also intensified its COVID-19 vaccination drive. Kampala, which is the country’s COVID-19 epicentre, has 40 vaccination centers. Each division has eight. 

In the other Districts and cities, outreaches are being carried out to reach the health workers and those due for their second doses. By June 24, 843,039 people had been vaccinated.