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Kiambu county government testerday raised the alarm over rising  Covid-19 cases in the area.

Health Executive Dr Joseph Murega said the cases have increased from five patients to almost 115 in two weeks.

“Two weeks ago, we had less than five patients at the Tigoni Covid-19 Referral Hospital but as we speak, the figure has shot up close to more than 100,” he said at Rironi Health Centre yesterday when he received maternity equipment worth  1.3m donated by SportPesa Foundation through it’s chief executive Ronald Karauri.

Vigilance

Murega  urged residents to be extra careful, vigilant and adhere to all the laid down protocols aimed at containing the pandemic. 

“I want to appeal to our people and Kenyans in general totake the disease seriously.

The new variant is very lethal and it’s signs are different from those of the previous three variants,” he warned.

He applauded corporates for supporting the county government to improve the status of its health facilities, at a time the country is fighting the spread of Covid 19 disease.

“Well wishers have assisted the government to offer quality services to residents, some services which were not available now are now available,” he said.

He added the county has 110 health facilities serving a population of 2.4 million as well as health centres and dispensaries that handle more than10,000 patients every day.

“We have seen well wishers supporting our health facilities and now we are serving our community well. Here at Rironi, the facility handles about 80 patients per day,” he said.  

Nominated MCA Josephine Nduta said the donation will go a long way in boosting provision of health care in the area.Safaricom Foundation built the 10 bed maternity last month.

She said expectant women have been travelling for long distances to get ante-natal and post-natal services after Tigoni Hospital was converted to a Covid 19 centre last year.

“Our women and their families have suffered for the past one year. This facility will serve them well.

The maternity is separate from the main dispensary because we did not want to mix expectant women with other patients,” the MCA added.

Other leaders present included county director of nursing Ann Wambugu, Limuru sub-county medical officer Dr Wangare Wambu, Rironi health centre clinical officer Agnes Wambui, Kiambu governor James Nyoro’s advisor John Mugwe and Rironi chief John Kamau.