Uganda has confirmed eight more cases of coronavirus, bringing the total number in the country to nine. All the new cases are said to be Ugandans who traveled from Dubai (United Arab Emirates).

Six of the eight were intercepted at Entebbe Airport, according to Minister Ruth Aceng, while two were found at their places of self-quarantine.

Six of them arrived in the country on 22/03/2020, while the two came in on 20/03/2020 aboard Ethiopian Airlines and Emirates.

Dubai was initially not marked as a high-risk country, and as such, people who were returning from their were put under institutional quarantine.

The country first registered her first case on Saturday afternoon. The first patient was identified at Entebbe International Airport after he arrived from Dubai where he had gone for a business trip.

The 36-year-old Ugandan male who came aboard Ethiopian Airlines presented symptoms of high fever and poor appetite, according to health minister Dr Aceng.

The Health Minister said the passenger was evacuated to Entebbe Grade B Hospital for further follow up where a nasal swab was taken for analysis.

She said government traced all contacts the patient made since arrival and urged calm.

On Monday the state Minister for primary health Joyce Moriku Kaducu said the patient was improving steadily.

The country has put in place various measures to avoid the spread of coronavirus, among; closure of schools and suspension of public gatherings. The President advised Ugandans on Sunday to avoid using public means of transport.

The government has also banned entry into the country as all borders are currently closed.

More than half the continent’s countries have confirmed coronavirus cases. Most of the cases involve passengers arriving from Europe and North America.

Countries such as Rwanda, South Africa are currently under lockdown.