KIU, Main Campus - On 2nd April 2020, the Minister of Health, Dr. Ruth Aceng, while updating the nation on Uganda's response to COVID-19, revealed that cases with mild symptoms will be managed at designated health facilities within the district, and only referred as per referral guidelines.

"Cases with mild and moderate symptoms will be managed at the district levels while severe and critical cases (requiring oxygen therapy and or Intensive Care Unit) will be referred to the regional referral hospitals," she said.

She also said that the hospital beds would be made available in public hospitals for COVID-19 patients without disrupting other medical services.

"Mulago National Specialised Hospital has 900 beds, Specialised Women's and Neonatal Hospital (450 beds), 16 regional hospitals will have 30 isolation beds each (480 beds), 50 general hospitals will have 20 isolation beds each (1,000 beds), and 164 health centers will be provided 5 isolation beds each (820 beds). However, the beds will be increased as per required," Dr. Aceng said.

"The Intensive Care Unit facilities for critical cases will be provided at Mulago Hospital (36 adult beds, 27 paediatric), Women hospital (35 beds, 30 paediatric), and 10 beds each on average for the regional referral hospitals."

The Ministry of Health urges the public to play their part and follow all safety procedures provided, so as to contain the further spread of the Coronavirus.