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Busia, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Eight positive Covid-19 cases have been confirmed in Wagagai Gold Mining Refinery in Busia district. Two are casual labourers working in the refinery while six are Chinese nationals are managers.
Wagagai Gold Mining refinery is a Chinese gold firm that covers over 300 acres of land in the four villages of Amagoro, Amonikakine, Akipenet and Alupe all in Mawero parish in Buteba sub-county.
On Thursday, the refinery was closed and over 300 workers were sent home over suspected cases of covid-19.
Dr Mathias Wabwire Panyako, the Busia District Health Officer, says that out of 177 samples picked from workers, eight tested positive.
Wabwire says that the six Chinese nationals have been placed under self-quarantine and they are getting treatment within the refinery, while the two other patients are under home-based care treatment.
John Rex Achila, the Busia Resident District Commissioner says that they have asked the gold refinery management to avail his office with the list and telephone contacts of all refinery workers who were sent home on Thursday when the refinery was closed.
Achila says that they plan to intensify mandatory rapid diagnostic tests among the community members in the mining areas like in sub-counties of Buteba, Tiira and Busia Municipality.
He appealed to residents to observe the standard operating procedure- SOPs issued by the ministry of health to prevent the spread of Coronavirus in the area.
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The US$ 200 Gold Refinery which is under construction is expected to be completed by 2025 and will produce 1000 tons of gold daily.
