COVID19 pandemic in Uganda 685 cases with24 in Arua- West Nile. State of panic is a threat to community transmission. Government announced extreme lock-down measures which include; ban on public gatherings, transport and stay home to prevent the community transmission. community awareness about virus transmission, signs and symptoms, preventive measures such as social distancing, hand washing with soap, disinfecting hands, surfaces, etc, are unknown in rural poor areas with limited networks.
The world faces a global health crisis due to the Corona virus pandemic which continues to spread. While all countries need to respond to COVID-19, those with existing humanitarian crises are particularly vulnerable, and less equipped and unable to strengthen community systems in a sustainable manner unless supported. Uganda has so far confirmed 685cases,24 of whom are admitted in Arua. Though 219cases have recovered, the pandemic has created panic and stigma with risk of community spreading.
communities along the boarders are at higher risk, we will train and implore village health team volunteers to conduct home visits with IEC material and sensitize families about the Corona virus transmission, signs and symptoms and preventive measures, establish hand washing facilities at every homestead, provide soap to the families in approximately 1000 homesteads. These VHTs will be supported with PPE, incentives to be able to ride on bicycles from home to home and make referrals to HCs.
The preventive measures for the COVID-19 will be integrated into the community health structures for the iCCM, hence the same funding for iCCM will be expected continue the awareness and over time to prevent community transmission of COVID-19, hence reduction in morbidity and mortality related to COVID-19 at community level as members become informed and follow social distancing, keep clean with hand washing with soap and not touching the eyes, nose or mouth with dirty hands.
