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Busia District offices closed after staff reportedly succumbs to Covid-19
Busia District offices remain closed on September 17 after a staff member in the CAO's office allegedly succumbed to Covid-19. PHOTO | DAVID AWORI.
What you need to know:
- Mr Geoffrey Wandera, the Busia District LC5 chairperson, said the closure of the premises will also allow for the disinfection of all offices at the district to ensure that all surfaces are free of coronavirus.
Busia District offices have been closed after a staff member in the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) is feared to have succumbed to Covid-19.
Capt Mike Okiria, the Resident District Commissioner (RDC), who is also head of the Covid-19 taskforce, on Thursday, told Daily Monitor that the decision to close the district offices was reached to avoid a further spread of coronavirus.
“All staff at the district are undergoing mandatory tests and after we are telling them to stay home,” he said, adding that the death has taken the district ‘by surprise’ because “the deceased was hardworking and very dedicated to serving the people of Busia.”
Dr Willis Syangola, the district health officer (DHO), said they have embarked on mandatory testing of all workers and another test will be carried out after two weeks.
“We are taking all workers at the district as contacts, picking the first sample today (Thursday) and the second sample will be taken after two weeks,” he revealed.
Capt Okiria, however, noted that only the office of the CAO and DHO are to remain open because they are essential in running the district; but the rest of the staff will remain home.
Mr Geoffrey Wandera, the Busia District LC5 chairperson, said the closure of the premises will also allow for the disinfection of all offices at the district to ensure that all surfaces are free of coronavirus.
Busia is one of the border districts where public transport remains banned. Because of the porous points, it is listed among the riskiest districts.
The first Covid-19 case was reported in Uganda in March and by September 15, the cumulative confirmed cases stood at 5,266 with 2,404 recoveries and 60 deaths.
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