Kampala, Uganda | DAILY MONITOR | A research laboratory at Makerere University College of Veterinary Medicine (CoVAB) has discovered various forms of coronaviruses in samples collected from bats in the country.

Prof. Denis Byarugaba, the lead research scientist at the laboratory, while addressing a public dialogue on Coronavirus in Kampala on Friday last week, said they had been doing a number of tests in the past years that detected the virus in common species that live with people.

It should be noted that there are various coronaviruses that exist.

“We have analysed 16,000 samples and seen a prevalence of coronaviruses at a prevalence of 0.6 per cent,” he said.

Prof Byarugaba said during the current outbreak, they have screened 500 bats and discovered mass coronavirus.

“Through a collaboration with a partner, we were able to isolate mass coronaviruses from bats,” he said.

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