The Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC), Uganda’s national broadcaster, on Wednesday reported that of its 10 staff members had tested positive for the coronavirus.
The UBC said in a statement that the tests were conducted on its entire staff out of responsibility to prioritise the health of its workers and the general public.
“The cases are from 332 samples that were taken on 21st August, 2020 from staff at our Kampala office for which results (of) 160 samples have been received,” UBC said.
The UBC is headquartered in the Ugandan capital Kampala which, according to the Ministry of Health, has been identified as having the highest numbers of community transmissions.
Kampala so far accounts for the largest proportion of confirmed cases and COVID-19-related deaths in Uganda.
Health minister Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng had also previously warned that workplaces needed to strictly observe existing health regulations as several institutions had also reported clusters of infections.
UBC said that it had subsequently taken the necessary measures in response to the findings but did not specify what actions they were.
“Management, together with the Ministry of Health, have since embarked on the recommended health care management processes for all the affected persons and commenced contact tracing.”
UBC did not mention whether the positive cases will affect its normal daily operations but added that it will continue serving the public.
“The Corporation would like to assure the general public that we are committed to playing our part in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and we shall continue to serve the public whilst observing the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that were put in place by the Ministry of Health.”
Authorities in Uganda have threatened to reinstate strict measures, including a ban on public transport and a lockdown of Kampala, as COVID-19 cases rise and citizens flout health regulations.
