By Julia Kakoma
Bad news as employees of two employees from major media houses in Uganda tests positive for covid-19, information reaching our desk from the Namuwongo based Monitor Publications Ltd, a subsidiary of Nation Media Group one of its employees has tested positive for coronavirus, moments after a similar case was announced at Vision Group.
Nations Media Group Uganda, Executive Director Tonny Glencross announced in a staff memo on Monday, August 17, 2020 after testing all the staff the results have indicated that corona virus has already taken root in our media houses.
“Colleagues, following routine testing, one of our staff members has tested positive for the coronavirus. Although the staff member is asymptomatic, they have been isolated in line with Ministry of Health guidelines”. He said.
He said that the media entity is also working with the Ministry to trace and test all contacts and have activated our internal protocols to ensure the safety and well-being of all our staff members and partners.
“I would like to remind each one of you to follow public health guidance on social distancing, washing hands with soap, and wearing a face mask at all times when in public. No one shall be allowed into the office without following these guidelines,” he added.
Earlier, Vision Group chief executive officer, Robert Kabushenga, had announced a similar case at the government-owned media house.
In a memo sent to all staff, Robert Kabushenga said the employee tested positive on Sunday and that his contacts have been urged to self-isolate for 14 days.
Vision Group Kabushenga ruled out closing the company head offices. Instead, he said the offices will be disinfected to limit chances of spreading the virus.
“The offices will be disinfected at regular intervals and all other staff who remain at work will be required to follow all the SOPs issued by the Ministry of Health,” he said in the memo dated August 17, 2020.
This come as Uganda on Sunday registered 66 new covid-19 cases, the highest cases recorded in a day.
This brings the total number of cases to 1, 500. Out of the cases registered yesterday 30 are alerts from Kampala , six from Namisindwa, seven from Wakiso , 10 from Tororo, Moroto, Katakwi, Buikwe, Bukwo, Bundibugyo, Mbale, Isingiro, Hoima and Buliisa.
The government has threatened to close public transport following revelations that they are contributing to a rising spike in COVID-19 infections.
The Minister of Works and Transport, General Edward Katumba Wamala, on Monday, August 17, 2020, warned that taxis and boda bodas may be closed again after Uganda on Sunday registered the highest number of coronavirus infections in a single day.
“Fellow Ugandans, it has come to my attention that some taxi operators and motorists are not obeying the COVID19 guidelines in place. With the increasing cases of community transmission, we may be forced to halt public transport,” he said on Twitter.
