Today, the Ministry of Health has taken another step into curbing the ever-increasing number of COVID-19 cases that are carried by cargo truck drivers who get into the country through the border entry points of Mutukula, Busia, Malaba, and others.
The step is the launch of a gene expert laboratory at Mutukula border by Minister of Health Dr Jane Ruth Aceng and State Minister for Health in charge of General Duties Robinah Nabbanja. The lab, as described by the Ministry of Health, has two machines that have the capacity to run 64 samples per hour.
In the past, truck drivers had been tested but allowed to enter the country with trackers attached to their trucks as they wait for their test results from the Uganda Virus Research Institute. This has been both risky and costly, as the Ministry had to trace and quarantine them if their results come out positive for COVID-19.
With the launch of this laboratory, that is going to Stop. The Ministry said that all truck drivers that will arrive at Mutukula border point will be tested and receive their results in 45 minutes. If their results come out positive, they will not be allowed into the country, otherwise, they will be given the green light.
Currently, Uganda has confirmed 160 COVID-19 cases, and the biggest bulk of it is truck drivers. 63 people have recovered, no deaths.