Embrace those from coronavirus isolation, urges official

Wangari Njuguna

Medical officers from Murang’a county have urged residents to stop stigmatising people who were previously isolated and have now returned  to their homes.

Murang’a health director Dr Winnie Kanyi said some people who have been discharged from isolation centres in the area are not being accepted back in the community.

She said once they release a person from isolation, they have to communicate to the chiefs and village elders to ensure those released don’t get attacked by the members of public.

“There is a misconception that the people we are keeping in isolation centres are sick but this is not the case and the members of the public need to understand this,” she said.

The director said the county had 98 people in isolation and some of them have been released after the lapsing of the prescribed 14 days. Those isolated are believed to have come into contact with their kin who had travelled abroad.

“Those we have discharged have not shown any signs of the coronavirus but they have to continue observing safety measures,” she said.

About two weeks ago, an MCA from the  area was roughed up by youths when she stepped out of her house to go to a nearby shop in Kenol town. 

Meanwhile, the county Health Executive Joseph Mbai has completed the 14 days self-quarantine after he jetted into the country from Dubai last month.