KAMPALA – The Ministry of Health in Uganda has underscored that COVID-19 continues to pose a threat in the country, despite the World Health Organization (WHO) declaring an end to the emergency.
Thesourceug.com obtained this information from a statement issued by the Minister of Health, Dr. Aceng Jane Ruth Ocero, dated January 2, 2024. The statement addresses the persistent high transmissibility of COVID-19 through hand contact, a directive emphasized by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
This announcement follows the recent confirmation of the First Lady, Maama Janet Kataaha Museveni, testing positive for COVID-19 during the Christmas period, and her subsequent recovery after practicing self-isolation.
Dr. Aceng emphasized that, since the outbreak in Wuhan, China, it has been recognized that various surfaces such as tables, door handles, doors, and chairs significantly contribute to the transmission of COVID-19 through contact. She highlighted that the COVID-19 virus, unlike many others, can remain viable on these surfaces for over three days.
“Documented evidence suggests that transmission through contact with infected surfaces, followed by touching one’s face, such as eyes, nose, and mouth, is a more common route of infection compared to airborne transmission. This underscores the importance of our earlier initiatives, including an aggressive handwashing campaign, discouraging the touching of one’s face, and implementing restrictions on handshakes during the peak of the pandemic,” stated Dr. Aceng.
She added, “Although airborne transmission has been demonstrated, it is limited to close distances of under 2 meters and occurs without the use of masks.”
Dr. Aceng advised all Ugandans, especially those who are vulnerable, to continue adhering to the precautionary measures recommended by the Ministry of Health to curb the spread of COVID-19.
