34 Year-Old Ugandan Woman Succumbs to COVID-19; Becomes First Registered Coronavirus Death

A 34 year old Ugandan has succumbed to the novel coronavirus; making her the first registered COVID-19 death in the land locked East African nation.

The late, a former resident of Namisindwa District was presented with COVID like signs and symptoms of fever, dry cough, headache and difficulty in breathing, according to the Director General of Health Services in Uganda’s Ministry of Health Dr. Henry Mwebesa.

“The deceased was initially admitted to Wasungui HC II on Wednesday, 15th July, 2020 and treated for severe pneumonia. However, on Monday, 20th July, 2020, she was transferred to Joy Hospice health facility, in Mbale District, where she was isolated in the female ward.” The Ministry said in a statement.

According to the Ministry, the patient’s condition deteriorated while in isolation with difficulty in breathing, cough, chills and headache. She is reported to have passed on, on Tuesday 21st July, 2020 at 2:00am.

The late was was buried on 23rd July 2020 as per the Safe Dignified Burial procedures.

The Ministry apologised for a an earlier misleading report where they had indicated that the deceased was not a Ugandan.

“Further investigations have since established that she was a Ugandan from Manafwa, Bubulo East, Namabya- Namunyali- Sisongofwa. The postmortem samples from the deceased were confirmed positive for SARS-COV-2 by 4 laboratories: UVRI, CPHL, Tororo and Makerere. In addition, findings at postmortem showed features of acute pneumonia; findings that are consistent with COVID-19 infection.” The Ministry confirmed.

The Namasindwa District Task Force has since been reactivated to coordinate the district response and so far, thirty (30) contacts to the deceased have been listed and placed under quarantine by the health authorities in Namisindwa (18) and Mbale (12) districts.

“The contacts will be monitored daily for fourteen (14) days as per our protocol by district surveillance teams supported by Ministry of Health experts who will be deployed in the district.” The Ministry asserted.

May the deceased’s soul rest in peace.