Uganda’s health ministry to adjust number of Covid19 deaths

Uganda’s Ministry of Health has announced it will adjust the number of Covid19 deaths.

A statement Dr Charles Olaro issued on behalf of director general of health services Dr Henry Mwebesa said a new diagnostic formula would help the ministry release more exact daily death figures.

“The Ministry of Health working with the Covid19 Scientific Advisory Committee has finalized a clinical diagnostic criterion for suspected Covid19 patients with severe illness but negative or not positive PCR or AgRDT,” read the statement in part.

“As such going forward, Covid19 deaths will be reported in real time as PCR or AgRDT confirmed or probable Covid19 deaths.

Noting that adjustment of Covid19 death figures isn’t new since countries such as Columbia and India have done it, Dr Olaro noted the readjustment of figures “will be done moving forward and retrospectively for the non-classified Covid19 related deaths.”

“When this is done, there will be a readjustment of deaths [numbers] and we shall report accordingly,” the ministry explained.

Read more in the statement below: