By Agnes Kiconco

KIU, Main Campus - The Director-General of Health Services in the Ministry of Health Dr. Henry Mwebesa has today May 27th addressed the public about the current COVID-19 situation in the country.

This comes after several reports from Ministry of Health about the increasing number of COVID-19 cases and deaths that have led to predictions of the second pandemic wave.

Addressing the public, Dr. Mwebesa said the intensity of severe and critically ill COVID-19 patients is higher than what we experienced in the first wave of the pandemic. 

"In the first wave, it took us 3 to 4 months to get to the full-blown pandemic, while in the second wave, it has taken us less than 10 days. It’s obvious from our statistics that the number of cases and deaths is increasing. Our data shows that the most affected age group is 20-39 years old," said Dr. Mwebesa.

The notable surge in the number of cases coupled with deaths is largely dependant on the public's reluctance to comply with the COVID-19 Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and other prevention procedures.

Referring to the Ministry of Health statistics, districts that have reported the highest number of cases are Kampala, Wakiso, Gulu, Amuru, Moroto, Arua, Mbale, Masaka, Oyam, and Kalungu.

With the rising number of COVID-19 cases, the Ministry of Health continues to urge members of the public to observe SOPs and to get COVID-19 vaccine jabs from the various allocated health facilities.

Regarding the vaccination process, the ministry put up a notice on May 21st urging all those that received the first jab of the vaccine to go ahead and have the second jab administered.

"All persons who have received their 1st dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine and have completed between 8 to 12 weeks should visit any designated vaccination health facility and receive their 2nd dose," read the notice.

Photo: Ministry of Health