COVID-19 transmissions have reduced by 87% in Uganda- Minister Aceng revealed

During her  32nd address to update the nation of  covid19 response  progress, the Minister of Health Dr Ruth Aceng applauded Ugandans  for their contribution to the success of the vaccination exercise, she however cautioned them to continue observing the Standard Operating Procedures to avoid a 4th wave.

As of Wednesday, statistics from the world health Organization indicated a decline of 19% in the world’s new cases of Corona virus and as per the Uganda Health Ministry statistics the cases continue to reduce with a total of 3,870 confirmed cases registered in the last 30 days, Aceng says this is evident that  transmissions  have reduced by by over 87%.

In the past three weeks, the country has registered reduced transmission rates with most districts out of the response phase except for Moyo, Mpigi and Kampala districts.

According to the Minister, since the country received its first doses in 2021, the country has so far administered 15,610,547 covid19 vaccine doses and lately 60% of the 22 million target population aged 18years and above have received at least one dose.

‘’A total of 6,976,897 Ugandans are currently fully vaccinated with various types of doses including AstraZeneca, Pfizer plus Johnson and Johnson’’ the Minister added.

Hon. Aceng also noted that Uganda has so far received 37,251,220 doses of various covid19 vaccines from different parties but also unleashed news that additional 8,906,130 doses are currently in pipeline and will be received in the due course.

The booster dose coverage for the eligible 543,963 Ugandans including the elderly of 50years and above, the Health workers, teachers, religious leaders and the Media is at 3%  and according to the Ministry a total of 14,265 persons have so far received their doses.

Alongside vaccination, Aceng also high lightened several measures to be undertaken post the third wave which included strengthening surveillance for monitoring the circulating variants, prioritizing and intensifying genetic sequencing of cases on admission, putting emphasis on sustaining individual level preventive measures regardless of vaccination coverage and also revising the surveillance and testing strategy.

As per the mandatory testing at Entebbe international airport, the Minister also clarified on the Cabinet decision on February 14th to temporarily suspend the testing on arrival but however reminded travellers that the pre-exit and pre-entry requirements still remains in place and Health workers will remain at the airport to carry out screening.

The Minister also finally hinted on land border points of entry resolutions that where discussed in the 5th Extraordinary Sectoral Council of East African Community Ministers of Health that included allowing fully vaccinated travellers proceed without testing, partner states to recognize certificates for nationally recognized laboratories for unvaccinated travellers, all partner states to share information to facilitate seamless movement of people and among others.