Senior medical officer at Lira hospital succumbs to Covid-19

Dr. Patrick Odongo, a senior medical officer at Lira Regional Referral Hospital has succumbed to Covid-19, the Ministry of Health has confirmed.

According to senior sources in the health ministry, Dr. Odongo was a known patient of diabetes but his health deteriorated when he contracted the virus.

"On a sad note, the Ministry announces the death of a Senior Medical Officer of Lora RRH due to Covid-19. The ministry commiserates with the staff of Lira hospital and the entire medical fraternity," Emmanuel Ainebyoona, the senior public relations officer of the health ministry announced on Sunday.

Ainebyoona said that Lira Hospital has been conducting mass testing for Covid-19 among its members of staff and at least four health workers had tested positive by Sunday.

Several social media reports said that the hospital had temporarily closed its gates to the public because of the Coronavirus cases, but Ainebyoona refuted the claims, saying they only closed sections of the hospital for disinfection.

"Four health workers were confirmed for Covid-19, of which two work in the operating theatre. The theatre has since been temporarily closed for disinfection and contact tracing,"

"The Ministry of Health would like to inform the public that Lira Hospital remains open, contrary to social media reports," Ainebyoona added.

Uganda has seen an increase in positive Covid-19 cases among health workers in the recent weeks.

Experts have attributed the spike to the inadequate Protective gears in some hospitals that continue to put health workers at risk of contracting the virus.

Uganda has so far confirmed 41 death due to Covid-19.