Suspected COVID-19 patient dies in Mbale

Mbale, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Tension is high in Mbale city following the death of a patient with COVID-19 like symptoms. The patient was picked up from Mabyale sub county in Namisindwa district and admitted at Joyce Hospice health centre.

It is alleged the patient fell sick a week ago and was admitted at one of the branches of Joyce Hospice in Namisindwa district where she was working as a cleaner. Mbale district COVID-19 surveillance focal person, Edward Nyogensa told URN that the deceased presented with COVID-19 symptoms including dry cough, flue and chest pain. He says they have drawn samples from the deceased for testing.

“Our medical teams are now at the clinic where the deceased died from trying to take samples from the body to ascertain the truth as of now. What I can say is that she presented with the signs but we can’t confirm that she died of COVID-19,” he said.

Nyongesa says the Mbale district surveillance team is now liaising with their counterparts in Namisindwa to locate the contacts of the deceased.

The deceased’s relative only identified himself as Martin said that she called him on Tuesday complaining of chest pain. She reportedly said that she had been diagnosed with pneumonia and flu.

Currently, Joyce Hospice health centre is out of bounds to the public. Even those in the facility including health workers and patients have been barred from leaving.

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