Epidemics Tracker

Canberra, Australia | Xinhua | Australian researchers have found that beta-blockers with effectiveness for cancer could potentially be used to treat COVID-19. In a study published recently, researchers from the University of South Australia (UniSA) working with a team in Naples found evidence in animals that the beta-blocker Propranolol can …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | A government-supported survey casts a looming expansion of the education and prosperity gap between rural and urban children caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. In March, the government directed the closure of all schools and tertiary institutions sending home more than 12 million children until …

  Dubai, UAE | Xinhua |  The United Arab Emirates (UAE)’s Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum on Tuesday received COVID-19 vaccine. Sheikh Mohammed said on Twitter that “while receiving the COVID-19 vaccine today, we wish everyone safety and great health, and …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Makerere University Hospital has increased the Covid-19 testing fees to 200,000 Shillings. Previously, the hospital was charging 100,000 Shillings for each test. However, the hospital management says they were forced to increase the cost of testing after support from the development partners was halted. Prof …

  Covid19 checks replacing security roles COMMENT | Samson Tinka | I have noticed laxity in the security function, especially with security officers deployed to manage access control of different infrastructures. The Ugandan police and private guards manning specific entrances and exits now focus only on ensuring COVID-10 SOPs are …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Nine health workers attached to the Coronavirus Treatment Unit- CTU at Gulu Regional Referral hospital have been dismissed without receiving their risk allowances. “As per the the decision of top management, the following service providers are supposed to exit from the CTU and report to …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Only 117 districts across the country are reporting positive cases of COVID-19, yet the disease has spread in all corners of the country according to Health Minister Dr Jane Ruth Aceng. Although she doesn’t mention the districts that are not testing, Aceng reveals that the …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Ministry of Health has disputed accountability flaws in the procurement and nationwide distribution of non-medical masks meant to curb the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). The flaws are highlighted in a report by the Budget Monitoring and Accountability Unit in the Ministry of …

Kampala, Uganda |  THE INDEPENDENT |   One member of the Kyambogo University Staff has tested positive for COVID-19, barely two weeks after the university opened its doors for final year students.  According to Reuben Twinomujuni, the University Senior Public Relations Officer, the patient is now receiving treatment at Mulago National …

Arua, Uganda |  THE INDEPENDENT |   Controversy has erupted in Arua district over COVID-19 results released by the District Health Officer Paul Bishop Drileba, following tests conducted in anticipation of the presidents visit last week.  President Museveni visited Arua as part of a five-day journey in which he unveiled major …