A family in Bukedea district, eastern Uganda has decided to confine one of their own in a bush on suspicion that he could have contracted COVID-19.
Michael Moses Ocan says the COVID-19 suspect is a student who recently traveled from Kampala when schools closed and presented with coronavirus disease-like symptoms such as cough.
According to Ocan, his family decided to confine the suspect in the bush for fear of spreading the virus to other family members.
"When the family discovered that he had signs of the virus, they agreed to isolate him in the bush. He also accepted since his body was not normal," said Ocan.
Adding that "He is now being treated in the bush where he is provided with everything including food. His samples were picked by the district task force to confirm whether he is negative or positive."
Geoffrey Okiswa, the Bukedea resident district commissioner (RDC) who also doubles as head of COVID-19 task force, says they lack an isolation center for suspected cases.
"As a district, we do not have an isolation center and funds, but we are working hard to reach people in the community to educate them on the dangers of the virus," said Okiswa.
Stephen Ikodet, the Bukedea district health officer, says despite receiving reports from the community of suspected COVID-19 cases, they don't have testing kits.
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