Public commended as COVID-19 Vaccination hits 77% among Target groups, rest urged to get vaccinated

By Alex Gahima

The Kisoro district Covid-19 task force has revealed that Vaccine uptake for Covid-19 has reached 77% of the target groups recommended by Government before the Country can be fully re-opened.

The revelation was made by Assistant District Health Officer (ADHO) Nick Muneza, while briefing the Covid-19 taskforce that had last sat on the 15^th of September, 2021.

According to Muneza, the target groups including health workers, Armed forces and teachers, the elderly and chronically ill embraced the campaign and turned up in large numbers.

Muneza noted that despite the great performance across the district, some health facilities still have Astra Zeneca Vaccine, which is likely to expire on September 30^th 2021.

The Health facilities include Shaaza HCIII, Nyarubuye HCIII, Kinanira HC III and Kaiteriteri HCIII

Muneza, however assured the taskforce that all the remaining Astra Zeneca Vaccines will be utilized before their day of expiry.

“Our health facilities are equipped with Sinovac Vaccine which is still valid for a lengthy period of time therefore the public is encouraged to utilize this opportunity to go and get vaccinated”, Muneza explained

President Museveni warned, last week in a televised address to the nation, that he would fire district leaders in areas where Covid-19 vaccines are wasted or left to expire as government scales up efforts to inoculate at least 22 million Ugandans.

 Vaccine Up take Statistics

Muneza explained that Vaccine up take is encouraging because both Government workers and Civilians turned up in large numbers.

He noted that Kisoro district Local Government has 650 health workers but friends and colleagues in the health sector were vaccinated too.

“Our records show that we have 2,500 teachers in the district but we managed to vaccinate other educators from Private schools. The general public, who visited health facilities when vaccination was ongoing also got the chance to be inoculated, as way of avoiding wastage of the vaccine”, Muneza noted.

Significant Reduction in Covid Cases.

According to Muneza, Kisoro district has registered good progress in the fight as Covid-19.

One patient is currently admitted to Kisoro hospital while 31 people are still on home based care.

As of June 2021 to September 28^th 2021, a total of 3,853 samples have been tested. Out of those, 1,052 turned positive.

993 positive cases recovered while 27 died from Kisoro and Mutolere Hospitals.

“We still have a total of 31 people on Home based care. We must appreciate the VHTs who are now able to easily identify and monitor Covid patients at home”, Muneza explained.

He noted that the current statistics indicate a positivity rate of 7% which is a great improvement for the district.

Murora and Bukimbiri are the leading Sub counties with Covid-19 positive cases.

Kisoro Not Yet out of Danger

Information from the Surveillance focal point person for Kabale and Rubanda districts indicate that, both districts are still recording high number of Covid-19 cases.

An average of 80 to 90 positive cases of Covid- 19 are being registered every day.

“This means that if you are sitting in a gathering of 50 people, most likely 2 to 3 people have Covid- 19 and this is very dangerous for us. We need to be mindful of the transportation because they are going to bring the disease to Kisoro”, Muneza warned.

Task Force Issues Other Guidelines.

Kisoro Resident District Commissioner who also serves as the Covid-19 taskforce chairperson Rtd. Captain Peter Mugisha has said all transport companies are going to forcefully follow the directives by Government.

Mugisha said Buses and taxis have failed to carry passengers at half capacity but still charge exorbitant fees.

“We are prepared to crack down on the bus operators who are charging 60,000 Ugandan shillings meant to cover for the middle seat but continue to load passengers to full capacity, Mugisha noted.

Guidelines to be effected immediately

• All Transport operators must enforce Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) while passengers board and while they travel.
• All religious leaders and faith based Organizations must ensure their congregations have not more than 200 people. All of them in attendance must wear face masks. Shifts can be introduced to ensure no crowding during services.
• Mobile Vaccination sites are going to be introduced to ensure the public is vaccinated. National IDs or NIN numbers are a must have for anyone interested in vaccination.

Mugisha said if leaders and other stakeholders remain silent now because cases are low, people will think Covid is no more and we shall be held responsible when things get out of hand.