Panic has engulfed the civil servants, security and people of Ntungamo District after two security officers in the office of the District Internal Security Officer (DISO) tested positive for COVID-19.
The two patients have been isolated and are undergoing treatment at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital.
Ntungamo District is a hotspot area given its location at the border with Rwanda and a route to DR Congo and Burundi among other countries in East Africa.
According to the Ntungamo Resident District Commissioner (RDC) George Bakunda, the two officers have been evacuated and are being treated saying that there is no cause for alarm because they are healthy and responding to the treatment.
Bakunda noted that the office of the DISO Ntungamo has been now temporarily closed for 14 days to pave away for disinfection to contain the further spread of COVID-19 among the office users.
However, he noted that he has been out of office for self-isolation due to influenza and cough thinking that it may be corona virus but after testing he turned out negative. He has thus promised to resume his normal business on Monday next week.
“The DISO and deputy have all tested positive. The people of Ntungamo should stay calm and know that the two will be okay.” RDC Bakunda said.
The District Health Officer (DHO) Dr Bakamuturaki Richard blamed the spread of COVID-19 to complacency but urged people to adhere to standard operating procedures in order to contain the disease.
Dr Bakamuturaki said that over 50 contacts have been tested and turned negative appealing to whoever came into contact with the office of DISO to show up for testing.
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