Epidemics Tracker

Kampala, Uganda |  THE INDEPENDENT | Two rheumatoid arthritis drugs have shown to be effective in stopping the occurrence of death in severely sick COVID-19 patients. The drugs, tocilizumab and sarilumab are anti-inflammatory medication used to treat arthritis by stopping inflammation from taking place.      Results from a double-blinded phase …

Kampala, Uganda |  THE INDEPENDENT | The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned of a tipping point in the fight against COVID-19, amid surging cases in Europe and the fresh challenge of a mutating virus.   “We were prepared for a challenging start to 2021 and it has been just that”, Dr …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Ministry of Health has said that it does not know the cost of the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine despite ordering for two million doses. According to the ministry of health officials, the government has only budgeted for the vaccination process to cost an estimated 1.4 …

COMMENT | DR SETH BERKLEY | What a year this has been! The devastating impact of COVID-19 has affected us all, and few will look back on 2020 with fond memories. With around 1.7 million deaths, more than 76 million confirmed cases and a global economic impact that the World …

▶ No voters at polling stations during counting ▶ Voters without masks will be turned away Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Voters will not be allowed to witness the counting of votes at polling stations due to COVID-19 standard operating procedures. This is according to the Electoral Commission. Justice Simon Byabakama, the …

Kampala, Uganda |  THE INDEPENDENT | Pharmacies around Kampala are rationing Vitamin C tablets due to the shortage of the drug on the Ugandan market.  At many pharmacies that URN visited in Ntinda, Wandegeya, Kamwokya and within the Central Business District, customers cannot buy more than one box of Vitamin C …

  London, UK | XINHUA |  Millions of Britons woke up Tuesday to face new strict lockdown measures requiring them to stay indoors as COVID-19 infections continue to spiral upwards. Announcing the lockdown, the third of its kind since the pandemic began in the country, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | A new report has urged the government to fast-track the Uganda National Disaster Preparedness and Management Act, draft Bill. The report compiled by Advocates Coalition for Development and Environment (ACODE) analyses the performance of district COVID-19 task forces in Uganda. As part of the response …

Kampala, Uganda |  THE INDEPENDENT | The emerging car-boot Ugandan entrepreneurs can still enjoy a free ride in the market but all indications are that it will not be long before authorities start demanding their pound of flesh. The car boot sales businesses which propped up during Covid-19 pandemic March to August, are …

Kampala, Uganda |  THE INDEPENDENT | As offices were reopening on Monday after the end of year festivities, the Insurance Training College (ITC), the training arm of Uganda’s Insurance sector opted for testing all its staff for SARS – COV -2, the virus that causes COVID-19 which has had over 30,000 …