The Tharaka Nithi County government has confirmed that there has not been any Covid-19 case report in the county after tests for two people who were in isolation for showing symptoms of the virus turned negative.
Addressing the press at Chuka Referral Hospital on Friday the Tharaka Nithi County Executive Committee Member (CEC) for Health, Dr. Gichuyia Nthuraku said two people whose samples had been sent for testing in Nairobi have tested negative.
Dr. Nthuraku further disclosed that out of the 4,000 people who were in self quarantine after arriving from other parts of the country 3,859 have been declared free from the virus showing no symptoms 14 days from arrival.
The CEC revealed that with the help of Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) the health department managed to identify people coming from counties where coronavirus cases have been reported and ensured that they quarantined themselves for 154 days before interacting with other people in the community.
He further disclosed that there is the presence of a health officer and screening done at all the 13 entries and exists in the county and that at least 115 health workers have already been trained on how to handle patients with coronavirus.
The CEC said the county government has fumigated five open air markets in the county and is in the processes of taking the measure into all the 39 markets in the county as a proactive measure to curb the possible spread of the virus
Present during the brief was the Tharaka Nithi County Commissioner (CC), Ms. Beverly Opwora who disclosed that her team is using the “Nyumba kumi” initiative to be abreast with all emerging issues all the way to the grassroots.
The CC called on all those organizations and individuals willing to donate protective gear to come out to enable a coordinated distribution.
She warned those who are opening bars or drinking at home in a big numbers that action will be taken against them.
By David Mutwiri/Monicah Nyagah
