At least 10 staff of Soroti University have gone into self-isolation after one of their colleagues succumbed to COVID-19.
The university spokesperson, Juma Hassan Nyene, says the decision to send the staff in self-isolation follows the death of Dr. Loyce Okedi after contracting COVID-19 as confirmed by a medical report.
Dr. Okedi, who was manager research and innovation department at the university, breathed her last at Bethesda hospital on Monday this week.
Nyene says following Dr. Okedi’s death, staff expressed fears about their ability to do their jobs safely which prompted the university to send her suspected contacts into self-isolation as they monitor the situation.
He, however, says all the staff tested so far have tested negative. Soroti University has at least 200 staff.
“We’re really at a very difficult time as a country since Teso region is beginning to lead with a number of cases. Most cases are local, they are within all the districts of Teso. So we have to continue being vigilant at a personal level, protecting yourself with a mask making sure that we calm down the pandemic,” said Nyene.
Dr. Wilson Etolu, the COVID-19 regional focal person at Soroti regional referral hospital described the death of Dr. Okedi as devastating. He decried the overwhelming number of people contracting COVID19, saying the figures are likely to increase unless people adhere to the standard operating procedures (SOPs).
Already some 75 COVID-19 confirmed cases are receiving treatment at Soroti regional referral hospital quarantine centre while the contacts are quarantined in Kumi and Bukedea.
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