Uganda’s COVID-19 Death Toll Rises to Five

By Wilson Kakuru On Aug 3, 2020 1,538

An illustration created by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows the structure of the coronavirus now named COVID-19.

Uganda has registered another COVID-19 death, bringing the number to five. This comes after a 46-year-old Indian woman and resident of Kibuli, Makindye Divison succumbed to the deadly virus.

According to the Ministry of Health’s daily update on COVID-19 test results, the woman who had been admitted at Kibuli Muslim Hospital, presented signs and symptoms of COVID-19 on August 1, 2020, including cough, mild fever and difficulty in breathing.

“The Kibuli Muslim Hospital team referred her to Mulago National Referral Hospital for further management on the same day. Unfortunately, she passed away on the way to Mulago. May her soul rest in eternal peace,” said Dr Henry Mwebesa, the Director-General Health Services.

He said that further investigations were done and it was found that she was diabetic and off medication and had a history of asthma for 10 years.

“Both diabetes and asthma are risk factors for COVID-19,” Dr Mwebesa said.

According to him, samples taken from the body were analysed at three COVID-19 testing laboratories; Makerere University, Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) and the Central Public Health laboratories. All tests confirmed SARS-COV-2, a virus that causes COVID-19.