Schools Won’t Close Despite Rise in COVID-19 Infections – Ministry of Health

The Ministry of Health has said in a nation-wide address about the COVID-19 response that schools will not close despite COVID-19 cases being registered in some.

The Ministry was addressing the nation on Tuesday this week on the status and response to the COVID-19 situation in the country.

According to the Ministry of Health, the Uganda is reporting an average of 1,900 cases weekly emerging from 127 districts.

The Minister of State for Primary Health Care, Dr. Joyce Moriku Kaducu said that since the opening of schools for candidate classes, working with the Ministry of Education and Sports, the Ministry of Health has unmasked clusters of COVID-19 transmission in 4 different learning institutions.

The Minister also said that following discussions with the Ministry of Education and Sports, the following has been recommended;

1. Schools should not close despite transmission of positive cases unless it is in consultation with the Director General Ministry of Health.

2. Schools should enforce “stay home” policy for students and teachers that feel unwell, with quick linkage to heath authorities.

3. Engage with schools on health education risk perception and behavior change to promote a preventive atmosphere in schools.

4. Engage with private schools to improve surveillance and reporting of COVID-19 in these communities.

The Ministry does not recommend closure of schools as this will only heighten further community transmission and further create a disruption in learners’ academic progression.

Uganda has registered 1,238 cases amongst health workers, and out of these, 10 health workers have succumbed to the deadly virus.

The Ministry also says it continues to priotize the safety of health workers through risk communication on infection, prevention and control measures within hospital settings and availability of adequate supplies of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Dr. Joyce Kaducu also directed all individuals intending to travel out of Uganda that they are required to have a COVID-19 certificate taken within 120 hours before arrival or departure and NOT within 72 hours as previously agreed.