Counties step up measures to fight emerging pandemic
By Christopher Owuor, March 16, 2020All the 47 counties are putting in place measures to contain coronavirus in the event of reported cases.
In Taita Taveta, the county government announced plans to establish specialised isolation units in each of the four sub-counties, as part of the preparedness for the virus.
Acting County Executive for Health Daniel Makoko said a county emergency response committee was mapping out appropriate locations for the setting up the isolation units.
In Kakamega, the government has established a 20-bed capacity at the county general hospital to handle and manage diagnosed cases of Covid-19 in the area. The county secretary Jacinta Odhiambo said there was no cause for alarm.
In Kisumu, the County government has set aside 100 beds and three isolation wards in different hospitals.
Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) has an isolation ward with a 40-bed capacity while Kisumu County Hospital and Airport Hospital have 30 and 20-bed capacity wards.
News of the Coronavirus confirmation in the country caused jittery with residents rushing to buy hand sanitizers from supermarkets and pharmacies. Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o urged the residents to take precautions while going about their daily businesses and promptly report illnesses bearing symptoms similar to the dreaded virus.
In Homa Bay, the government says it has procured ample protective necessities including thermometers for use in the coronavirus surveillance on Nyandiwa beach. Governor Cyprian Awiti said the county was prepared to handle any cases of Covid 19 that may arise in the region including on the beaches.
He told Beach Management Unit (BMU) officials to cooperate with surveillance officers deployed to screen fishermen and trader’s saying that the county government has set up 16 bed isolation room and procured 5,000 protective gears for nurses and the doctors. “The county is well prepared for the disease and a quarantine room has been set up at Malela Hospital for isolation of any identified cases,” he affirmed.
In Busia, the county government has put in place adequate measure’s at Busia and Malaba border points to monitor Coronavirus, Deputy Governor Moses Mulomi has said.
Mulomi said isolation ward of six beds has been set at Busia border while another ward of two beds is at Malaba border ready to receive victims identified to be having Coronavirus symptoms.
Speaking to the press, the Deputy Governor said two committees have been formed to ensure that all immigrants entering into the country are being screened at the two border points.
In Migori, at least a 51-bed capacity isolation facility has been established in efforts to handle the dreaded Covid-19 virus.
The facility in Nyatike Sub County has seen well trained health personnel deployed with all the required protective health gears to deal with identified patients, according to local health officials.
In Kisii, Governor James Ongwae has set up a 21- member Emergency and Response Committee and a high level containment isolation Ward to handle cases related to the virus.
The governor said the Committee, comprising County Commissioner, Stephen Kehara, Director of Medical Services, Dr Richard Onkware, County Secretary, Patrick Lumumba among others will monitor cases of the virus and ensure they are responded to in time.