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Uganda's Covid-19 cases jump to 44 as 11 Watoto choir members test positive
A test kit to determine whether someone has Covid-19 costs $65 according to the President.
At least 11 more Ugandans have tested positive for coronavirus bringing the total number of the country's confirmed cases to 44. President Museveni on Tuesday said the 11 include members of the Watoto Children’s Choirs who had been quarantined after they returned to the country from the United Kingdom.
"Out of the 176 people tested, 11 of them tested positive and are all children of Watoto Church Choir who are still in quarantine. They picked the disease from outside," Mr Museveni said in a televised address he convened to clarify on the preventive measures he issued on Monday night against the spread of the virus.
In a statement, Dr Henry Mwebesa, the director general health services said the 11 new confirmed cases were all under institutional quarantine at the time of test.
"They presented with signs and symptoms consistent with COVID-19," he said.
The cases include a 29-year-old female resident of Kyanja, Nakawa who is a contact to one of the previously confirmed case.
The second victim is a 27-year-old male resident of Mpererwe, Wakiso who arrived from the United Kingdom.
Six girls aged between seven and 10 who had travelled to the UK also tested positive.
The other victim is a 30-year-old male resident of Kisaasi, Kampala who had also travelled to the UK.
A 27-year-old female resident of Kavule, Makerere who had also travelled to the UK tested positive.
The other case is a 26-year-old male resident of Katabi, Wakiso district.
To date, 1,015 people are under follow up and under institutional quarantine, according to Dr Mwebesa.
"A total of 660 contacts to the confirmed cases are under follow up," he said.
Watoto speaks out
“Two weeks ago, two of our Watoto Children’s Choirs returned from the UK and Canada following the global COVID 19 pandemic. The two teams are comprised of 12 children and 10 adults each. As per Government requirements, both choirs have been quarantined at Government approved centres in Entebbe, since their arrival at Entebbe International Airport on 20 March 2020. On 27 March 2020, one of our adult chaperones from the choir returning from the UK, tested positive for the Coronavirus, after displaying mild symptoms. He was immediately isolated from the rest of the team,” Pastor Julius Rwotlonyo, the associate team leader, Watoto said in a statement on Tuesday.
“Upon further testing, 3 more adults and 1 child on the same choir tested positive. Following procedure, these individuals were immediately isolated from their group and taken for treatment. Other tests were also done for the remaining choir members. Today, March 31, 2020, we learned that an additional 6 children and 3 adults on the same choir have also tested positive and will immediately be taken for treatment,” he added.
Pastor Rwotlonyo said none of the adults or children on the choir returning from Canada has shown any signs of the virus.
“We wanted to let you know that all of our children, mothers and staff in our Watoto villages are safe and healthy, and remain unexposed to the coronavirus. We’re taking every precaution to ensure we all stay that way. We are continuing to do everything we can to keep our Watoto family safe, and we know God is in control,” he added.
