The president has indicated that the government is in the process of scaling up the capacity to handle COVID-19 by setting up a 40.000-bed capacity that is expected to be stationed at Namboole incase community cases rise.
Speaking today at the statehouse to celebrate hero’s day scientifically the president said that the ministry of health had planned for a 9000-bed capacity to handle the novel virus but he has since increased the number to 41000.
The president says there is likely to be a new wave of community infections that he attributed to indiscipline and recklessness on the part of Ugandans.
He, however, warned that an overwhelming number of infections would disable the health system.
Museveni warned that Ugandans have become relaxed in adhering to the ministry of health directives that include washing hands and sanitizing, wearing face masks, keeping a distance, clean surfaces, and not touch the soft body parts of the nose,eyes, and mouth.
The president said Ugandans have left their safety in the hands of security operatives like police and army to enforce these directives.
”As if it is the work of the police to save you from dying, I beg you for the sake of yourself to keep the distance and put on facemasks” Museveni said.
He noted that if the public is to practice obedience and discipline they would manage to contain this biological weapon that is deadlier than the liberation war he fought in the bush.
Museveni’s remarks come at a time when the Ministry of Health has confirmed 11 new cases of COVID-19 from samples that were tested on Monday bringing the total confirmed cases are now 657.
All new confirmed cases are Ugandans, comprising five truck drivers from Malaba in Eastern Uganda and Elegu, in the north.
The other six are contacts and alerts from Amuru and Kyotera Districts. According to the Ministry, All samples of health workers taken on Monday tested negative for COVID-19.
Currently, the country is reporting more cases from communities than truck drivers. Last week, more than 140 reported cases were from communities and not high-risk groups.
The president says of the confirmed cases of COVID -19 in Uganda, 316 are from truck drivers,326 community cases, and 116 foreigners sent back to their countries of origin.
Dr. Monica Musenero, an epidemiologist and a senior presidential advisor on epidemics says that with cases in the community, said last week that Uganda is about to start experiencing the pandemic.
