Uganda has registered its fifth Covid19 death, the Ministry of Health (MoH) has announced in its August 03 update on the coronavirus pandemic.
According to Dr Henry Mwebesa, the director general of health services at MoH, the deceased was a 46-year-old Ugandan of Indian descent who resided in Kibuli in Kampala.
She had gone Kibuli Muslim Hospital for treatment on August 01 after presenting with symptoms consistent with Covid19, including mild fever, cough and difficulty in breathing.
“Upon suspecting Covid19, the Kibuli Muslim Hospital team referred her to Mulago National Referral Hospital for further management on the same day,” said Dr Mwebesa.
“Unfortunately, she passed away on her way to Mulago Hospital.”
Read: Nakulabye woman becomes fourth Ugandan to die of Covid19
Dr Mwebesa further revealed that the deceased had diabetes but was “off medication” and “had a history of asthma for 10 years.” He noted that diabetes and asthma were some of the risk factors for Covid19.
Samples had been taken from the deceased’s body and were tested at the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI). They returned positive.
This means that all of Uganda’s cases that resulted in deaths were detected while it was too late.
“The process of contact tracing and listing is ongoing,” noted Dr Mwebesa.
Meanwhile, Uganda recorded 13 new Covid19 cases from 2,485 samples tested on August 02. The new cases include four truck drivers, five contacts to previously confirmed cases, two returnees and two alerts from Buikwe and Kampala (that of the deceased).
The country’s infection toll stands at 1,195, while some 1,070 patients have fully recovered.
Read: Besigye speaks out on Museveni order for compulsory Covid19 testing of 2021 election candidates
