Uganda’s confirmed COVID-19 cases have shot to 253 after 31 people tested positive for the disease on Tuesday, from 1,116 samples that were tested.
According to the Ministry of Health, 23 cases were truck drivers who entered the country using different points of entry while the other 8 cases are from people who earlier had contact with truck drivers in different communities and were under quarantine.
20 other foreign truck drivers were sent back to their countries of origin, following a directive from President Museveni that all foreign truck drivers who test positive for COVID19 should not be allowed into the country.
Since the first COVID case was confirmed in Uganda, authorities have returned over 300 drivers to their countries. Those returned on Tuesday, 16 were Tanzanians while only four were Kenyans.
Only Positive Ugandan and South Sudan cases are an exception and can enter the country even with positive results.
Recently, Dr Jane Ruth Aceng the Minister of Health explained that it was becoming too expensive to treat foreign drivers.
Currently, Uganda has 253 confirmed cases of COVID-19, 69 recoveries and 0 deaths. 184 people are still undergoing treatment at different treatment facilities in the country.
On Tuesday, Private cars and general merchandize shops were allowed to open for business as second move to ease lock down.
