Ugandan Health Minister Jane Ruth Aceng on Sunday said the country is likely experiencing a new wave of coronavirus as the number of new COVID-19 cases continues to rise, reported The BBC. The Covid-19 cases have risen to levels that were last reported in June 2021 when the Delta variant was prevalent.
In a tweet, the Ugandan health minister did not offer the latest figures on confirmed cases, but she said the country was well prepared to respond to the new wave.
She also ruled out travel restrictions or lockdowns in any part of the country under the current circumstances but urged individuals for self-protection.
“We have no indication for travel restrictions or lockdown in the current circumstances,” Aceng said, adding that “We will optimize the existing control and mitigation tools at personal and community levels.”
The Ugandan health minister said the measures include vaccination for all individuals, making the wearing of face masks at all times compulsory especially for the vulnerable population, and, regular hand washing.
Uganda fully reopened the economy in January after imposing one of the world’s strictest lockdowns during the pandemic, which saw schools remain closed for almost two years.
In April, the government further relaxed the Covid restrictions but asked that fully vaccinated members of the public would not be required to wear face masks when they are outdoors provided there are no crowds.
In related news, late last month, the World Health Organization (WHO) head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned that although reported COVID-19 cases and deaths across the globe have declined significantly, it is not time yet for any country to lower its guard.
“So, is it COVID-19 over? No, it’s most certainly not over. I know that’s not the message you want to hear, and it’s definitely not the message I want to deliver”, the WHO head highlighted.
He added that although in many countries all restrictions have been lifted and life looks much like it did before the pandemic, reported cases are increasing in almost 70 countries in all regions. He warned that reported deaths are also rising in Africa, the continent with the lowest vaccination coverage.
