Residents of Hamisi Sub County in Vihiga County have been urged to continue adhering to health guidelines that are currently in place to curb spread of the novel Covid-19.
The Area Deputy County Commissioner (DCC), Mrs. Lilian Jerop made the appeal over the weekend when she, in company of Sub County Security Intelligence Committee (SCSIC) briefed the press at her office in Serem town.
With a total of 1,962 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the country as at Sunday, Jerop noted majority of Hamisi residents had complied with the Ministry of Health hygiene guidelines aimed at containing the contagious disease.
According to the DCC, the sub county was yet to report any positive case of Covid-19 since the first case was reported in the country.
She attributed this to relentless awareness efforts carried out by the local administration and health workers in the area.
“We can confirm most of the locals are now wearing face masks and maintaining social distancing regulations while in public places as well as using hand sanitizers and washing hands using soap
and running water,” noted Jerop.
She further hailed traders in market places for complying with current directives. “We have also ensured traders fully adhere to the hygiene guidelines,” addedJerop.
With economic challenges caused by current dusk to dawn curfew and other restrictions, the Sub County boss appealed to the government and well-wishers to consider offering food relief and related services to a section of the locals.
“The locals, including the most vulnerable, continue to feel the economy heat caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, thus the urgent need to buttress interventions in order to cushion them against pangs of hunger,” remarked Jerop.
She announced that the Sub County would soon enroll several area youth into the National Health Programme popularly known as Kazi Mtaani.
“The youth will be deployed to informal settlements, including Serem, Cheptulu, Jevovole and Jivogi townships where they will engage in cleaning and infrastructural activities,” she said.
She instructed the local administration, including respective Assistant County Commissioners (ACCs), chiefs, assistant chiefs, village elders and members of Nyumba Kumi clusters to ensure full implementation of national government directives.
The Sub County Police Commander,Johanna Chebii echoed the DCC remarks and applauded the locals for embracing the Covid-19precautionary measures.
“However about 40 individuals have been arrested and charged for violating the dusk to dawn curfew,” said Chebii, adding most of the arrested were released on cash bails.
By Maurice Aluda
