Geneva, Switzerland | XINHUA | The World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Thursday highlighted the role of young people in curbing the COVID-19 outbreak. “Although older people are at a higher risk of severe disease, younger people are at risk too. One of the challenges we face …
Read More »U.S. economy sees sharpest contraction in decades as COVID-19 recession deepens
Washington, US | XINHUA | The U.S. economy saw the sharpest contraction in decades between April and June as the country grappled with the fallout of COVID-19 lockdowns, indicating the depth and severity of the pandemic-induced recession. The U.S. economy contracted at an annual rate of 32.9 percent in the …
Read More »Religious leaders develop procedures for reopening places of worship
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Religious institutions under the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda have developed Standard Operating Procedures-SOPs to guide the safe re-opening of places of worship. Borrowing a leaf from neighbouring Kenya and Rwanda which have already announced the gradual resumption of congregational worship in churches, synagogues, and …
Read More »Ugandan scientists warn against complacency in fight against COVID-19
Kampala, Uganda | XINHUA | Ugandan scientists on Thursday warned that COVID-19 cases in the country could surge out of proportion if the public continues to relax in implementing preventive measures against the virus. The country this week and last week registered its first two COVID-19 deaths, and the scientists …
Read More »COVID-19: Gulu opts for self-isolation for 280 residents
Gulu, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Up to 280 residents of Kanyagoga B Sub ward in Bardege-Layibi Division in Gulu City have been placed under self quarantine. They are contacts of a nurse of Lacor Hospital who tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday. Gloria Aloyo, the Gulu District Covid-19 taskforce communication …
Read More »Africa can contain COVID-19 pandemic with proper measures: Africa CDC
Kampala, Uganda | XINHUA | Africa still has a chance to contain the COVID-19 pandemic on the continent once proper measures taken, John Nkengasong, director of the African Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), said on Thursday. According to the released data as of July 29 by the CDC …
Read More »Private facilities can’t offer COVID-19 treatment
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Even with the push by sections to have private hospitals start offering COVID-19 related care coupled with the increasing number of patients testing positive for the virus being picked from private health facilities, the possibility of them being allowed to offer such care remains …
Read More »Gulu regional referral hospital in UGX 262m debt
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Gulu Regional Referral Hospital is struggling to pay 262 million shillings debt incurred from Covid-19 activities. James Elima, the hospital director disclosed on Thursday that the hospital purchased food worth 190 million shillings for feeding Covid-19 suspects and patients at the quarantine and treatment …
Read More »Hospitals urged to treat pneumonia patients as possible COVID-19 cases
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Ministry of Health has advised health facilities to treat all patients admitted with acute respiratory tract symptoms or illnesses such as pneumonia with high suspicion for COVID-19. The advice was given by the health minister Dr Jane Ruth Aceng during a national address …
Read More »COVID-19, desert locusts exacerbate food insecurity in E. Africa: UN
Kampala, Uganda | XINHUA | The East Africa region is facing an unprecedented triple food security threat caused by the combined effects of recent severe floods, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the upsurge of desert locusts, the United Nation Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) said. The FAO, in a joint …
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