Govt names high-risk areas of coronavirus infection in Kampala

The Ministry for Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs has identified areas in which city dwellers are at high risk of contracting Covid-19, the respiratory illness caused by the coronavirus.

In a Friday statement, the Minister for Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs Betty Amongi said they had noticed that there is "gross non-adherence to the SOPs in public transport and the workplaces, including arcades."

The minister says scientists believe this could be the reason for the increased number of cases.

The cumulative number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Uganda as at close of business August 20 was 1,750. Of these, Kampala has 394 COVID-19 infections accounting for 22.5%. 

In just the last 11 days, the minister said, Kampala has registered 175 cases out of which, 116 (66.3%) are alerts, 46(26.3%) are
contacts, 9 (5.1%) health workers and 4(2.3%) are returnees.

According to the minister, workplaces (offices and workshops) are where most infectious are being registered. Arcades also remain high-risk areas due to noncompliance with simple preventive measures. 

The KCCA Public Health Directorate has issued notices to the non-compliant arcades to ensure full compliance to the SOPs within 7
days after which stern sanctions shall be imposed upon them. 

The said arcades, include Mini-Price center, Vienna Business center, Boost Complex, Arro Complex, Naigga Chambers, Tropical Complex, Senna Arcade, Masaka Jubilee, SB Plaza, King Fahad, Sun City, Lucky Complex (Kisenyi) and Serwaniko Music Center (Kyaggwe Road).

Others are Faibah Arcade, City Center Complex, MM Plaza, Namaganda Plaza, Freeman Foundation Center, MBK Spare Center (Mackay Road), and Energy Center.

According to minister Amongi, over 90% of those infected reported using public transport and the taxi park. Slums too are affected, she said.

Political activities and markets have also been named among high-infection areas.

In figures

A total of 71 new cases were reported in Kampala for out tests conducted on August 19, marking the highest single-day infections for the City.

Kampala has now recorded 221 active cases, whereas the whole of Uganda has 537 active cases representing 41.2%.

Majority [15(78.9%)] of all 19 COVID-19 related-deaths registered in the country are from Kampala. 

Kampala registered its first COVID-19 case on March 23 and then hit its next hundred on July 31. From this, it took 4 months for Kampala to hit 100 cases, 10 days to hit 200 cases, yet less than 5 days closing into the 400-mark.