Five Kenyan truck drivers who traveled to Uganda from Kenya have tested positive for coronavirus in the neighboring country.
Three of the drivers entered Uganda through Malaba while two arrived via Busia, according to Uganda’s Health Ministry.
The five Kenyan nationals are among 11 new cases of Covid-19 recorded in Uganda on Thursday following the testing of 1,331 samples. The remaining six cases are Tanzanian truck drivers who entered Uganda through the Mutukula border post.
“We tested a total of 1,331 samples today at Uganda Virus Research Institute. Of these, 1,020 samples are from truck drivers while all 311 samples from the community and individuals in quarantine tested negative for COVID-19,” Uganda’s Health Minister Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng said.
“None of the cases registered today had signs and symptoms consistent with COVID-19.”
The confirmation of the 11 additional cases raised the total number of Covid-19 infections in Uganda to 74.
“I appeal to all of you who live along the roads followed by the truck drivers including the women who interact with them for different purposes to stay away from these truck drivers.”
“During this period of lockdown, please do not accept visitors into your homes, not even neighbors, ensure adequate physical distancing with people who do not live with you every day,” Dr. Aceng urged Ugandans.
Minister of Internal Affairs Gen. Odongo Jeje said Uganda is concerned about long-distance truck drivers entering the country.
“There is growing concern about the long-distance truck drivers entering the country. The concern is because quite a number of these truck drivers have tested positive,” he said during a briefing on Thursday.
