Eight-month-old baby in Uganda infected with COVID-19

Many of the coronavirus cases have been that of the elderly population whose immune system are said to be weak. However, another group of people who are vulnerable during these trying times are babies.

An eight-month-old baby in Uganda is among the five new confirmed COVID-19 cases. This makes the total number of recorded cases in Uganda 14.

“The infant had influenza and high fever before she was admitted to Iganga emergency clinic,” Dr. Henry Mwebesa, Uganda’s Director General of health in a televised address said, adding two Chinese nationals who fled an institutional quarantine with four others were among the five new cases.

Authorities say they were found hiding in the West Nile region neighboring eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan. They are to be charged later in court for absconding during their quarantine period.

The eight-month-old’s father returned from neighboring Kenya the previous week where it is believed the infant might have contracted the virus anytime during or after the trip.

The other confirmed cases are that of a 63-year-old man who came into the country from Germany and another who has no travel history abroad but has been trading at the border with South Sudan, Mwebesa said.

A total of 2,661 travelers have been identified, 764 are under institutional isolation and 466 are under self-isolation, Cyclone Times reports.

Uganda has taken grave steps to prevent the spread of the virus in the country. The country was among the first African countries to impose travel restrictions on its people and others flying in from 16 countries believed to have recorded a high number of coronavirus cases, which included US and UK.

The Health Minister Jane Aceng said travellers who persist and intend visiting the East African nation from these countries must self-quarantine for 14 days at no cost to the government either at their homes or in any government facility.

Uganda was also one of the first African countries to ban large public gatherings including church and Jumah services and weddings for the next 30 days.

President Yoweri Museveni has recently announced a 14-day ban on public transport which will include the local motorcycle taxis. All private cars can still be in use but can have three passengers including the driver.

Markets will be allowed to operate, however, last week the president announced the closure of all schools including universities to stop the spread of new cases from the East African region.